Trump selects Tulsi Gabbard as national intelligence director. She has ties to Texas
Amid a series of high-profile and somewhat controversial Cabinet selections, President-elect Donald Trump made another significant announcement Wednesday, revealing his choice for national intelligence director: former U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard from Hawaii.
Gabbard is known for her independent streak and willingness to challenge party lines as a former Democrat. Since the announcement, critics have largely proclaimed her a national security threat, while supporters laud her for her willingness to challenge the establishment and her strong stance on issues such as government transparency and foreign intervention.
Who is Tulsi Gabbard?
Gabbard, 43, served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2013 to 2020 and was vice chair of the Democratic National Committee through 2021. In 2019, she launched an unsuccessful campaign for president as a Democrat, and in 2022, she made headlines by renouncing her membership in the Democratic Party.
How does Tulsi Gabbard have ties to Texas?
In March, Gabbard and her husband purchased a single-story home in Leander, about 26 miles northwest of Austin. The three-bedroom, two-bath house was bought for approximately $675,000.
Located on a cul-de-sac, the property spans about 3 acres, DailyMail.com reported.
Who are Trump's picks for leadership posts?
- White House chief of staff: Susie Wiles, Trump campaign strategist
- Secretary of state: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.
- Attorney general: Former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla.
- U.N. ambassador: U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y.
- "Border czar": Tom Homan, former acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- Secretary of defense: Pete Hegseth, Fox News contributor and veteran
- National security adviser: U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla.
- White House counsel: William McGinley, former White House Cabinet secretary
- Secretary of homeland security: Gov. Kristi Noem, R-S.D.
- CIA director: Former U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe, R-Texas, former director of national intelligence
- Director of national intelligence: Former U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii
- Environmental Protection Agency administrator: Former U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y.
- U.S. ambassador to Israel: Former Gov. Mike Huckabee, R-Ark.
- Department of Government Efficiency leaders: Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, and Vivek Ramaswamy, entrepreneur and former GOP presidential candidate
- Deputy chief of staff: Dan Scavino, former White House social media director
- Deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security adviser: Stephen Miller, former senior policy adviser
- Deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs: James Blair, former Trump adviser
- Deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel: Taylor Budowich, former Trump communications director
- Head of the presidential personnel office: Sergio Gor, former chief of staff to U.S. Sen. Rand Paul
- Secretary of health and human services: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., environmental lawyer and activist
— This story has been updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.