New York: US President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democrat and a Hindu American, to join his cabinet as the Director of National Intelligence. Trump's announcement came on Wednesday through Truth Social, where he praised Gabbard for her dedication and commitment to American values.
"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," Trump said.
Gabbard, who holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserve and served in the Iraq War, has a career that spans over two decades in public service. Trump highlighted her long-standing dedication to the nation's freedom and security.
This year, Gabbard made a significant shift from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party, actively supporting Trump's campaign and urging Indian Americans to back him. This marked a notable ideological shift, as Gabbard was previously aligned with the Democratic Party's Left and had supported Bernie Sanders for the 2016 presidential nomination.
With this appointment, Gabbard will become the second Hindu in the US cabinet, following Arati Prabhakar, who currently serves as Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy under President Biden.
Gabbard has been a strong advocate for strengthening US-India relations. After meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019, she emphasized India's role as the world's largest democracy and a key US partner in the Asia-Pacific region. She has spoken about the importance of collaboration on global challenges, including the situation in Kashmir, civil rights, women's empowerment, poverty, and regional security.
The Director of National Intelligence has a crucial role in coordinating 18 intelligence agencies, overseeing key centers like the National Counterterrorism Center, Cyber Threat Intelligence Integration Center, and the Foreign Malign Influence Centre. The Director's responsibilities include preparing daily intelligence briefings for the President and providing critical insights into global security threats.
In addition to Gabbard's appointment, Trump has also nominated Mike Waltz, co-chair of the India Caucus in Congress, as his National Security Adviser. For the role of Secretary of State, Marco Rubio has been named, a known supporter of strong US-India relations.
Gabbard, who hails from Hawaii, has a diverse background, with Samoan heritage from her father’s side and European roots from her mother. Her family adopted the Hindu faith, which has played a significant role in shaping her worldview and political journey.
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