In a surprising turn of events, Donald Trump announced yesterday that he is tapping Tulsi Gabbard to be his pick for Director of National Intelligence, placing her in a position to become one of the highest-ranking officials in the US intelligence community. An appointment that, quite understandably, set off some reaction, Gabbard was once making headlines for leaving the Democratic Party in 2022, now, she’s aligned closely with Trump-even as many widely saw her as a potential running mate.
Tulsi Gabbard is 43 years old and was previously one of the Democrats, whom people remember for severely criticizing the Biden administration. She will replace Avril Haines in January with a job that positions her to oversee the nation’s intelligence operations. While not a shocker since she has been well and rightly promoting conservative policy stances lately, the lack of direct experience in matters of intelligence is curiously being made up for by her military background and new alliances, but one cannot be certain whether it will suffice to make good on those.
Trump’s Confidence in Gabbard
President-elect Trump trusts Gabbard enough as he prepares to start his second term. His statement praised her “fearless spirit and long record of defending the values Americans hold dear.” He expressed confidence she would prove to be a fearless addition, saying her position resonates with a cornerstone of his own philosophy, peace through strength. Her appointment to the intelligence service indicates Trump’s commitment to changing the game and introducing leaders who may not come from more traditional backgrounds in intelligence.
Senate Confirmation Likely Smooth
The Senate is currently cornered by the Republicans by a small margin of 52-48. The fact notwithstanding that Gabbard is a newcomer in the intelligence world, it will pass without even blinking. Relatively aligned with the agenda of Trump, the Senate is likely to pass the confirmation of her without much of a ripple though some Democrats and few moderate Republicans will still have misgivings about her being suitable for lack of intelligence-specific experience. They can raise a question on the factor of suitability as she has no working experience in the sphere of intelligence services, and it may make her passage relatively easier under Trump’s influence in the Senate.
Thank you, @realDonaldTrump, for the opportunity to serve as a member of your cabinet to defend the safety, security and freedom of the American people. I look forward to getting to work. pic.twitter.com/YHhhzY0lNp
— Tulsi Gabbard 🌺 (@TulsiGabbard) November 13, 2024Gabbard’s Journey from Democrat to Conservative Favorite
It is very interesting to note that from being a Democrat Party representative to a conservative favorite, she has traveled a long way. In the year 2020, she contested for the Democratic nomination but could not gain much strength; shortly after that, she started to deviate from the party’s principles. She has hurled critical attacks on Biden’s administration time and again, and ultimately, she has made herself feel at home with the conservative circles.
She has established herself as also anti-“woke” culture and pro-isolationist in foreign policy, platforms that would resonate with Trump’s base. Experience: As a member of the National Guard and holding the current rank of lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserves adds another level of appeal for the right-wing activists who desperately cling to these militaristic values.
A High-Risk Move?
But this appointment is not without risks. Gabbard has experience, having served in the military, but she has never led an intelligence agency or been involved in high-level intelligence operations. This may prove challenging as she enters a position where experience and knowledge of the intelligence field play a big role. There’s also a likelihood that her bold, unfiltered style might cause some ripples within the relatively tight-lipped nature of the intelligence community.
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This is a very bold and rather adventurous step. Gabbard may bring some good suggestions for the industry if she gets used to her position well. However, if she acts very inexperiencedly, it will ruin her ties with Trump’s administration. It is hard to say in advance, but initially, I suppose, she will face a steep learning curve. She may balance her outspoken views with the demands of this work, but not finding that middle ground may make it hard for her to hold different groups of intelligence officers together in trust.
My advice.
If Gabbard is to succeed, then she will have to build contacts in the intelligence community and perhaps seek counsel from veterans of the field to fill the experience void. She may learn to grab the ropes by acceding to advice and collaborating with veterans of the intelligence community. Of course, Trump may be ready to ruffle feathers with some of his choices into cabinet positions, but success will ultimately rest with her ability to adjust and show a true commitment to this sensitive role.
What do you think? Do you think Gabbard will thrive in this role, or is Trump taking too big of a risk by appointing her to such a critical position? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Minutes by M31GlobalNews
