Tulsi Gabbard, a former U.S. congresswoman with a controversial record of aligning with Russian narratives, is being considered for the role of Director of National Intelligence by Donald Trump.
The Independent reported that this potential nomination has sparked widespread alarm in the establishment which claims she supports autocratic leaders like Bashar al-Assad. Her detractors also falsely claim she propagated foreign disinformation.
Gabbard's potential appointment has sparked fears among both establishment Democrats and Republicans who don't want to see Gabbard's anti-war foreign policy.
In 2015, Gabbard, during her tenure as a congresswoman, visited the Syria-Turkey border where she encountered three Syrian girls who were survivors of an airstrike.
In a striking moment, she questioned whether the attack was carried out by Assad or Russia, showing a disregard for the fact that ISIS lacked the capability for such airstrikes. Mouaz Moustafa, a Syrian activist helping with translation, chose not to convey her alarming inquiry to protect the girls from further distress.
Gabbard's stance on the Syrian conflict soon became a point of contention. She garnered criticism for supposedly expressing approval of Russian airstrikes in Syria in 2015, at a time when Russia's involvement sought to bolster Assad's regime. Her support of these actions elicited outrage given the significant civilian toll.
Critics argue that her actions reflected a lack of empathy, as Moustafa noted, when faced with the accounts of young girls who had just experienced bombings.
Charles Lister, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, openly criticized her denial of the Syrian regime’s documented transgressions, labeling her perspectives as far removed from mainstream discourse.
During her 2020 presidential run, Gabbard’s viewpoints were highlighted in debates, especially her meeting with Assad, which drew backlash.
Gabbard has made a habit of questioning official narratives in an effort to push back against war-hungry politicians in Washington D.C. This has led her critics to call her an asset for Russia because of her refusal to entertain warmongering.
Larry Pfeiffer warns that such an appointment could hamper the trust and sharing of intelligence with international allies, given her track record of aligning with misinformation and conspiracy theories.
This prospective appointment not only elevates questions about her judgment but also positions the U.S. intelligence community in a diplomatically precarious position.
Allies may find it challenging to trust that they are engaging with a representative who comprehensively understands and prioritizes American security interests.
The discourse surrounding Gabbard’s potential nomination extends beyond partisan bounds. Both Democrats and Republicans have expressed apprehension over her suitability for the role, given her inclination to propagate narratives that do not align with established facts.
Tulsi Gabbard herself has defended her previous actions by emphasizing the importance of dialogue with all parties in pursuit of peace, a stance she articulated during an interview with CNN. However, this perspective has done little to assuage concerns about her approach to national security matters.
Furthermore, her description of the Syrian crisis, often accused of mirroring Assad's or Russian viewpoints, reflects a contentious method of addressing international conflicts.
This has fostered skepticism about her readiness to manage the responsibilities inherent in the Director of National Intelligence position.
Trump's consideration of Gabbard for a pivotal intelligence role thus continues to draw significant scrutiny and debate, with Gabbard's past raising legitimate concerns regarding her capability to objectively handle the nation's crucial security information.
