Tulsi Gabbard's 'Russia Ties' Surface After Trump Picks Her For National Intelligence

Tulsi Gabbard, former Democrat representative in Congress, was selected by Donald Trump on Wednesday to serve as the director of national intelligence. Gabbard had previously endorsed Trump and was made a part of the 78-year-old's transition team, which has been tasked with establishing his administration after President Joe Biden's departure.However, despite getting a major position in Trump's GOP administration, it is worth noting that the party has not always been friendly to the former Democrat. Before endorsing Trump, Gabbard was slammed by the Republicans for her alleged socialist sympathies and for allegedly trying to appease Russian President Vladimir Putin. Notably, the former Democrat had left the Blue Party in March 2022, just before the midterm elections. She had defended the decision of Vladimir Putin to invade Ukraine in 2022. She had also expressed sympathies for Trump's position on not helping Ukraine fight the war with Russia. Trump had previously claimed that he would end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours if he is elected president, despite not providing a clear plan for the same. Thus, after Gabbard's appointment as the Director of National Security in the upcoming Trump administration, the old praise for Russia and the Russian leader's decision to invade Ukraine have resurfaced, landing the 43-year-old in hot waters. "Holy fucking sh**. I mean, I know we joked about it, but Tulsi Gabbard is a Russian asset and Assad apologist. Hillary was right. Kamala was right. This is a tragic mistake," one user wrote.

Holy fucking shit. I mean, I know we joked about it, but Tulsi Gabbard is a Russian asset and Assad apologist.

Hillary was right. Kamala was right. This is a tragic mistake. https://t.co/sUkdNyoFwS pic.twitter.com/FHx3isRWo4

— 🇺🇸🦅🎗️🪷 🇭🇹 🇺🇦 🇮🇱 Catherine Thee Democrat (@CMargaronis) November 13, 2024

"She's trumpeted #Putin's talking points for years & traveled to #Syria to meet #Assad, who she believes is a victim," added another.

Good God. Alarm bells.

Tulsi Gabbard has been appointed Director of National Intelligence.

She's trumpeted #Putin's talking points for years & traveled to #Syria to meet #Assad, who she believes is a victim. pic.twitter.com/8b3g3wCb3n

— Charles Lister (@Charles_Lister) November 13, 2024

Donald Trump nominates Tulsi Gabbard, a known Russian asset and Bashar al-Assad apologist for Director of National Intelligence. Putin got what he paid for," said one. Also read:

🚨BREAKING: Donald Trump nominates Tulsi Gabbard, a known Russian asset and Bashar al-Assad apologist for Director of National Intelligence.

Putin got what he paid for pic.twitter.com/pGL2xBOInP

— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) November 13, 2024

"Call me crazy, but I don’t think Russia’s favorite Tulsi Gabbard should oversee our National Intelligence Program. Democrats should focus by opposing the most absurd of these picks, but support confirming Rubio and the other sane ones," said another.

Call me crazy, but I don’t think Russia’s favorite Tulsi Gabbard should oversee our National Intelligence Program.

Democrats should focus by opposing the most absurd of these picks, but support confirming Rubio and the other sane ones.

— Heath Mayo (@HeathMayo) November 13, 2024

Gabbard served as U.S. Representative for Hawaii's 2nd congressional district from 2013 to 2021 and was the first Samoan-American member of Congress.