Tulsi Gabbard is an American politician and a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army Reserve. She served as the U.S. Representative for Hawaii’s 2nd congressional district from 2013 to 2021. Gabbard, after serving 17 years in the Hawaii Army National Guard, currently serves in the U.S. Army Reserve. She was the first Samoan-American member of Congress and the youngest woman ever elected to the Hawaii state legislature. She was a candidate in the 2020 Democratic presidential primaries. She left the Democratic Party in October 2022 to become an Independent, before joining the Republican Party in 2024.
Early Life and Education
Gabbard was born in Leloaloa, Maʻopūtasi County, on the main island of Tutuila in American Samoa. She has a multi-cultural background, with both European and Samoan ancestry. Gabbard was raised in Hawaii, where she pursued surfing, martial arts, and yoga. She also learned Hindu teachings and eventually converted to Hinduism. Gabbard was homeschooled and also attended an all-girls boarding school in the Philippines for two years. She graduated from Hawaii Pacific University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, concentrating in International Business.
Military Service
In 2003, Gabbard enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard and deployed to Iraq from 2004 to 2005, serving as a specialist in a medical unit. She graduated top of her class from the Accelerated Officer Candidate School at the Alabama Military Academy in 2007, the first woman ever to achieve this distinction. She served in Kuwait from 2008 to 2009. She was promoted to Major in the Hawaii Army National Guard in 2015 and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve in 2020, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 2021.
Political Career
Gabbard was elected to the Hawaii House of Representatives in 2002, becoming the youngest legislator ever elected in Hawaii’s history. She was elected to the Honolulu City Council in 2011 and to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012. During her time in Congress, Gabbard became known for her strong anti-terrorism stances and her controversial positions on Syria. She served as Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee and resigned in 2016 to endorse Bernie Sanders for the Democratic presidential nomination.
2020 Presidential Campaign
Gabbard officially launched her 2020 presidential campaign in February 2019. She was the first female combat veteran to run for president. Her campaign platform highlighted a broad opposition to military interventionism while reiterating her commitment to combating terrorism. She dropped out of the race in March 2020 and endorsed Joe Biden.
Departure from the Democratic Party
Gabbard left the Democratic Party in October 2022, citing disagreements with the party’s leadership on foreign policy and social issues. She subsequently endorsed and campaigned for several Republican candidates in the 2022 midterm elections.
Joining the Republican Party
In August 2024, Gabbard endorsed former President Donald Trump’s 2024 reelection bid at a National Guard Association gathering. She was subsequently named an honorary co-chair of Trump’s presidential transition team. She announced joining the Republican Party in October 2024.
Nomination for Director of National Intelligence
In November 2024, President-elect Donald Trump nominated Gabbard to serve as Director of National Intelligence. This nomination has received mixed reactions, with some praising her military background while others cite concerns about her lack of intelligence experience and controversial foreign policy positions.
Summary
Tulsi Gabbard is a highly adaptable and evolving American politician. She is known for her strong anti-terrorism stances, her controversial positions on Syria, and her opposition to military interventionism. Her shift from the Democratic to the Republican Party highlights her trajectory as a changing political figure whose views have evolved over time.
