Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley recently expressed strong concerns about the nomination of former congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard as the director of national intelligence by President-elect Donald Trump. During her radio program, Haley criticized Gabbard, referring to her as a 'sympathizer' with close ties to Russia and other foreign adversaries.
Haley emphasized that the role of the Director of National Intelligence is crucial in analyzing real threats to national security and questioned Gabbard's qualifications for the position. She highlighted Gabbard's meetings with foreign leaders, including President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, and accused her of embracing Russian propaganda.
Specifically, Haley pointed out Gabbard's statements blaming NATO for Russia's actions in Ukraine, which she labeled as Russian propaganda. Haley expressed discomfort with the idea of having someone with such views at the helm of national intelligence agencies.
Furthermore, Haley also criticized another of Trump's nominations, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was chosen to lead the Health and Human Services Department. She questioned the decision to appoint someone with ideological differences from Trump and the Republican Party to oversee a significant portion of the federal budget, especially considering Kennedy's background as a liberal democrat and environmental attorney.
These comments from Haley come amidst ongoing discussions and debates surrounding Trump's nominations for key positions in his administration. The concerns raised by Haley shed light on the importance of appointing individuals with relevant experience and aligned views to critical roles within the government.