Who is Tulsi Gabbard, Donald Trump’s Hindu pick for US intelligence head?

President-elect Donald Trump has tapped Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic Congresswoman and the first Hindu in the US Congress, as his new director of national intelligence.

At 43, Gabbard will step into the pivotal role of overseeing the nation’s intelligence agencies while serving as the president’s chief adviser on security matters. Once viewed as a potential running mate for Donald Trump, Gabbard is now tasked with leading the intelligence community.

In a statement on Wednesday, Trump described Gabbard as a “proud Republican” who can bring her “fearless spirit” into the intelligence community.

“As a former Candidate for the Democrat Presidential Nomination, she has broad support in both Parties - She is now a proud Republican!” Trump said.

“I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our intelligence community, championing our constitutional rights and securing peace through strength,” he added.

But who exactly is Tulsi Gabbard, and what makes her stand out? Here’s a closer look.

She is the first Hindu Congresswoman

Tulsi Gabbard was born in American Samoa, a US territory, and raised in Hawaii, with a brief stint in the Philippines during her childhood.

She entered politics at a young age, securing a seat in Hawaii’s House of Representatives at just 21. However, her political career took a pause after one term.

Gabbard later returned to politics, winning a seat in Congress to represent Hawaii. She made history as the first Hindu member of the US House, taking her oath of office with her hand on the Bhagavad Gita. Additionally, she was the first American Samoan to be elected to Congress.

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Due to her first name, Gabbard is often mistakenly thought to have Indian heritage, but she has no direct connection to India. Her mother converted to Hinduism and chose Hindu names for all her children.

Her father, Mike Gabbard, is a state senator who began his career as a Republican before switching to the Democratic Party.

Now 43, Gabbard is married to Abraham Williams, a cinematographer.

Throughout her four terms in the House, she gained a reputation for challenging her party’s leadership. Her early endorsement of Senator Bernie Sanders during the 2016 Democratic presidential primaries earned her recognition as a key figure in national progressive politics.

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She once ran for presidential nomination race

In 2020, Tulsi Gabbard ran for the Democratic presidential nomination, voicing strong opposition to US military involvement overseas.

She was vocal in criticising her own party for failing to resist these conflicts, contending that America’s wars in West Asia had not only destabilised the region but also compromised national security and cost thousands of American lives.

During a primary debate, Gabbard made headlines by challenging Kamala Harris, then a senator, over her prosecutorial record. Eventually, Gabbard withdrew from the presidential race, throwing her support behind Joe Biden, who went on to win the election.

By 2022, Gabbard had severed her ties with the Democratic Party. Her criticisms of Biden and his administration grew sharper, accusing her former party of being controlled by an “elitist cabal of warmongers” and pushing “woke” ideologies.

“Today’s Democratic Party is unrecognisable from the party I joined 20 years ago,” she explained to AP when discussing her decision to leave.

She prepped Trump for his presidential debate against Harris

After leaving the Democratic Party, Gabbard initially appeared alongside Robert F Kennedy Jr, who had launched a challenge against Joe Biden for the Democratic nomination before switching to an independent candidacy. Ultimately, she chose to endorse Republican leader Donald Trump.

Gabbard played an active role in Trump’s campaign, assisting him in preparation for his debate against Kamala Harris earlier this year.

In October, during a rally in North Carolina where she joined Trump on stage, Gabbard officially announced her decision to become a Republican.

She is a US Army veteran but has no intelligence background

Gabbard has an Army background having served as a member of the National Guard for over 20 years, with deployments in West Asia including Iraq and Kuwait.

In 2005, she was awarded a Combat Medical Badge for “participation in combat operations under enemy hostile fire in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III,” according to the Hawaii National Guard.

Unlike her predecessors, Gabbard lacks a background in senior government roles, although she did serve two years on the House Homeland Security Committee.

Currently, she holds the rank of lieutenant colonel in the US Army Reserves.

Despite her lengthy military service, Gabbard has limited direct experience with intelligence work, and her appointment to this key role was largely unexpected.

The outgoing director, Avril Haines, took on the position in 2021 after holding several top roles in national security and intelligence. Haines made history as the first woman to occupy the post.

Gabbard’s selection comes as President-elect Trump continues to fill his Cabinet with his loyalists aligning with his views, rather than long-term professionals in their requisite fields.

With input from agencies