Who Is Tulsi Gabbard? Donald Trump's Pick For Director Of National Intelligence

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence. Gabbard took to X thanking Trump.

Who is Tulsi Gabbard?

Tulsi Gabbard was born on April 12, 1981, in Leloaloa, a village on Tutuila Island, American Samoa. Her family moved to Hawaii when she was two. She is an American politician, United States Army Reserve officer, and a political commentator. She started her political career in 2002 when she became the youngest woman elected in the Hawaii State Legislature. while serving in the Hawaii State Legislature , Gabbard enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard in 2003. In March 2007, she became the first woman to graduate at the top of her class at the Alabama Military Academy. Gabbard also received the Combat Medical Badge and the Meritorious Service Medal from the United States. She also received the gold medal for German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency.

She served as U.S. Representative for Hawaii's 2nd congressional district from 2013 to 2021, having served three terms there, and competed as a candidate in the 2020 Democratic presidential primaries. In October 2022 she became an independent candidate, before announcing she is joining the Republican Party in a North Carolina rally in October 2024.

What Does Director Of Intelligence Do?

The Director of National Intelligence (DNI) serves as executive head of the United States Intelligence Community. Their primary role is to direct and oversee the National Intelligence Program (NIP). All intelligence agencies report directly to the DNI. The DNI is also the principal advisor to the President, Homeland Security Council, the National Security Council, when asked to do so.