In 2020, Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman and presidential candidate, made headlines for her unconventional views on national security and intelligence. Gabbard met with Daniel Ellsberg, a notorious leaker of classified information, and introduced legislation to protect whistleblowers like Edward Snowden and Julian Assange.
Her nomination by Donald Trump to lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence has sparked debate due to her lack of experience in the intelligence community and her positions on Syria and Ukraine, which some view as aligning with Russian propaganda.
Gabbard's vocal opposition to government surveillance and her support for individuals who expose sensitive information have raised concerns among national security officials. Her proposed bills to repeal the Patriot Act and Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act reflect her anti-surveillance stance.
If confirmed, Gabbard would be the most anti-surveillance official to lead the intelligence community post-9/11. However, dismantling intelligence collection under Section 702 would face challenges from the Defense Department and Congress, impacting America's ability to spy on foreign adversaries.
Gabbard's isolationist and anti-war ideology, coupled with her distrust of the US intelligence community, has shaped her political identity. She has been critical of what she perceives as a 'cabal of warmongers' in Washington and has expressed concerns about the threat of nuclear war with Russia or China.
Her recent endorsement of Russian President Vladimir Putin's rationale for the invasion of Ukraine and promotion of debunked conspiracy theories have drawn criticism from both Democrats and Republicans. Some view her sympathetic stance towards foreign dictators as alarming and question her suitability to lead national intelligence agencies.
Gabbard's controversial foreign policy ideas and her willingness to court controversy have solidified her reputation as a polarizing figure in American politics, with supporters praising her fearless spirit and critics questioning her judgment and allegiances.
