tulsi gabbard

Tulsi Gabbard is a fascinating figure in American politics, known for her unconventional journey and bold stances
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. Born on April 12, 1981, in American Samoa, she was raised in Hawaii and spent part of her childhood in the Philippines
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. Gabbard’s political career began early; she was elected to Hawaii’s House of Representatives at just 21 years old, becoming the youngest state legislator in Hawaii’s history
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Gabbard’s rise to national prominence came with her election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012, where she served Hawaii’s 2nd congressional district until 2021
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. She made history as the first Hindu member of Congress, taking her oath of office with her hand on the Bhagavad Gita
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. Her tenure in Congress was marked by her outspoken opposition to U.S. military interventions abroad and her early support for Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign
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In 2020, Gabbard announced her candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination, running on a platform that emphasized ending foreign wars and reducing military spending
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. Although she dropped out of the race and endorsed Joe Biden, her campaign left a lasting impression on progressive politics
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Gabbard’s political journey took another dramatic turn in 2022 when she left the Democratic Party, citing its shift towards what she described as “elitist warmongering” and “woke” ideology
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. She became an independent and later joined the Republican Party in 2024, aligning herself with Donald Trump and becoming a prominent MAGA surrogate
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In a surprising move, President Trump nominated Gabbard for the position of Director of National Intelligence in November 2024
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. This nomination has been met with both support and skepticism, given her past criticisms of U.S. intelligence agencies and her controversial foreign policy views, including her meetings with Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad
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Gabbard’s personal life is as intriguing as her political career. She is married to cinematographer Abraham Williams, and her family background is diverse, with her mother being raised in a multicultural household and her siblings having Hindu names
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. Gabbard herself practices Hinduism and has been vocal about her faith
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Despite her controversial reputation, Gabbard remains a polarizing figure who continues to draw attention and spark debate. Her journey from a young state legislator to a potential head of U.S. intelligence is a testament to her resilience and determination.
For more information, you can watch this PBS NewsHour segment on Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination as Director of National Intelligence.
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www.pbs.org
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timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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en.wikipedia.org
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The Daily Beast | MSN