Many Donald Trump supporters have been holding their breath awaiting word on whether or not one of his most popular campaign surrogates, former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, would get a role in his second administration. Well, that sound you hear is a collective sigh of relief from many on the right over the news that Gabbard will serve as Trump’s Director of National Intelligence (DNI).
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) November 13, 2024
In making his announcement, Trump said of Gabbard:
I am pleased to announce that former Congresswoman, Lieutenant Colonel Tulsi Gabbard, will serve as Director of National Intelligence (DNI). For over two decades, Tulsi has fought for our Country and the Freedoms of all Americans. As a former Candidate for the Democrat Presidential Nomination, she has broad support in both Parties – She is now a proud Republican! 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. Tulsi will make us all proud!
Gabbard has long been a favorite of many on the right, dating back to her show-stopping performance at a 2019 Democrat presidential primary debate, where she nailed fellow candidate Kamala Harris for being weak on crime. Here’s a refresher:
“I want to bring the conversation back to the broken criminal justice system that is disproportionately negatively impacting Black and brown people all across this country today,” Gabbard began, hitting Harris from the left. “Now, Sen. Harris says she’s proud of her record as a prosecutor and that she’ll be a prosecutor president. But I’m deeply concerned about this record. There are too many examples to cite, but she put over 1,500 people in jail for marijuana violations and then laughed about it when she was asked if she ever smoked marijuana.”
Gabbard often appeared on the campaign trail with Donald Trump this presidential election cycle, and made headlines in October when she announced she was officially becoming a Republican.
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The trend certainly seems to be that Donald Trump is rewarding loyalists with key policy positions in his new administration, and that holds true with the Tulsi Gabbard appointment. It’s becoming clear that he will be prioritizing national security when he takes office, having already announced Tom Homan as border czar, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem as Director of Homeland Security and Rep. Mike Waltz (FL) to be National Security Advisor.
Here’s a bit about Gabbard’s new role:
The Director of National Intelligence serves as the head of the U.S. Intelligence Community, overseeing and directing the implementation of the National Intelligence Program and acting as the principal advisor to the President, the National Security Council, and the Homeland Security Council for intelligence matters related to national security. The President appoints the DNI with the advice and consent of the Senate.
This news comes on the heels of Trump announcing that he would be nominating Senator Marco Rubio of Florida as Secretary of State. Things are moving fast, so be sure to check the pages of RedState often for the latest on Trump’s appointments.
