Tulsi Gabbard Takes the Offensive
Amid the turmoil in Syria bringing her past into sharper focus, the former Democrat travels to Capitol Hill to advocate for her intelligence nomination.
TroibNews 
With Matt Gaetz and Pete Hegseth becoming focal points of controversy, Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination as director of national intelligence has largely steered clear of the political turbulence in Washington. However, the situation seems to be changing.
The unexpected downfall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime this weekend has revived intense scrutiny regarding Gabbard’s previous support for the authoritarian leader. Her 2017 trip to Damascus, where she met Assad years after he used chemical weapons against his own people, along with her justifications for his governance, have become defining elements of the former Democratic congresswoman’s unorthodox foreign policy stance.
Now, her history is becoming both a source of humor and a hurdle for her confirmation as senators evaluate her qualifications. "Wonder if [Gabbard] will offer Assad safe harbor at her house,” quipped former Rep. Adam Kinzinger as rebels advanced, highlighting the challenges she faces.
In response, Gabbard has shifted from her Army training assignment in Oklahoma to Capitol Hill to advocate for her nomination directly. Her efforts will kick off today with meetings with Senators Lindsey Graham, Mike Rounds, and James Lankford, as well as other Republicans on the Senate Intelligence Committee later in the week.
Despite the challenges presented by her past views, Gabbard and her supporters remain cautiously optimistic. They assert that she is prepared to confront her critics directly. Unlike Gaetz and Hegseth, she has a network of allies in Congress ready to support her.
“She is very prepared, because it’s the same shit people have been throwing at her for years,” one confidant mentioned on Sunday night. “She’s not easily rocked by anything.”
Former national security adviser John Bolton is already critiquing her harshly. In a phone call, Bolton stated that Gabbard has exhibited “an inclination to believe the most outrageous propaganda against the United States by some of its strongest enemies,” pointing to her endorsement of the unfounded “biolabs” conspiracy theory alleging that the U.S. was conducting biological warfare research in Ukraine. Bolton warned that this reflects a “funhouse of mirrors” perspective on American foreign policy and indicates a potential character flaw.
However, Gabbard’s associates assert that she’s prepared to challenge Bolton and other critics across party lines.
They argue that figures like Bolton no longer align with the modern Republican Party and emphasize that Gabbard shares views with President-elect Donald Trump, who controversially engaged with authoritarian leaders like Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un during his presidency.
“John Bolton is irrelevant and him saying he would write in Dick Cheney for president this year should tell you everything you need to know about his disastrous and failed foreign policy instincts of never-ending wars and more American deaths,” remarked transition spokesperson Alexa Henning.
Senate Republicans may be less accommodating on foreign policy issues, as many traditionally adhere to hawkish stances aligned with Bolton's views. They are likely to question whether Gabbard will heed the intelligence community's expert assessments or prioritize her own judgment as she advises the president.
Nevertheless, Gabbard’s team believes she is in a strong position to address any skepticism about her past.
— A Senate Republican has pointed out that Gabbard holds a Top Secret security clearance, and her promotion to lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve occurred in 2021, long after her Syria visit. “If this were a problem, then they would have had an investigation a long time ago and she wouldn’t have the high-level clearance she has,” asserted one ally.
— She is ready to provide context for some of her more controversial actions, planning to explain that meeting with Assad does not equate to supporting him and highlighting instances where she described him as a “brutal dictator” while condemning his actions.
— Gabbard is prepared to present a broader case for her noninterventionist philosophy, arguing that discussions with leaders like Assad are essential to preventing “endless wars.” Her narrative indicates that her military experience — rather than foreign propaganda — has informed her worldview. "Gabbard is in lockstep with President Trump and his statements on the events in Syria over the weekend,” Henning noted. “This is why President Trump was re-elected to prevent endless wars and put America First.”
— She has garnered support from at least one prominent figure in Graham, who referred to her as “extremely bright and capable” last month. Additionally, her allies include Senator Rand Paul, and she maintains connections with several former House members now serving in the Senate, such as Lankford, Marsha Blackburn, Dan Sullivan, and Markwayne Mullin.
— Gabbard is attempting to reach across the aisle, having sought meetings with some Intelligence Committee Democrats, albeit with limited success. Still, her team noted that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries sidestepped a question about whether Gabbard is a Russian agent, and she may find potential support from figures like Senator Bernie Sanders, who has yet to comment on her nomination.
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
The unexpected downfall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime this weekend has revived intense scrutiny regarding Gabbard’s previous support for the authoritarian leader. Her 2017 trip to Damascus, where she met Assad years after he used chemical weapons against his own people, along with her justifications for his governance, have become defining elements of the former Democratic congresswoman’s unorthodox foreign policy stance.
Now, her history is becoming both a source of humor and a hurdle for her confirmation as senators evaluate her qualifications. "Wonder if [Gabbard] will offer Assad safe harbor at her house,” quipped former Rep. Adam Kinzinger as rebels advanced, highlighting the challenges she faces.
In response, Gabbard has shifted from her Army training assignment in Oklahoma to Capitol Hill to advocate for her nomination directly. Her efforts will kick off today with meetings with Senators Lindsey Graham, Mike Rounds, and James Lankford, as well as other Republicans on the Senate Intelligence Committee later in the week.
Despite the challenges presented by her past views, Gabbard and her supporters remain cautiously optimistic. They assert that she is prepared to confront her critics directly. Unlike Gaetz and Hegseth, she has a network of allies in Congress ready to support her.
“She is very prepared, because it’s the same shit people have been throwing at her for years,” one confidant mentioned on Sunday night. “She’s not easily rocked by anything.”
Former national security adviser John Bolton is already critiquing her harshly. In a phone call, Bolton stated that Gabbard has exhibited “an inclination to believe the most outrageous propaganda against the United States by some of its strongest enemies,” pointing to her endorsement of the unfounded “biolabs” conspiracy theory alleging that the U.S. was conducting biological warfare research in Ukraine. Bolton warned that this reflects a “funhouse of mirrors” perspective on American foreign policy and indicates a potential character flaw.
However, Gabbard’s associates assert that she’s prepared to challenge Bolton and other critics across party lines.
They argue that figures like Bolton no longer align with the modern Republican Party and emphasize that Gabbard shares views with President-elect Donald Trump, who controversially engaged with authoritarian leaders like Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un during his presidency.
“John Bolton is irrelevant and him saying he would write in Dick Cheney for president this year should tell you everything you need to know about his disastrous and failed foreign policy instincts of never-ending wars and more American deaths,” remarked transition spokesperson Alexa Henning.
Senate Republicans may be less accommodating on foreign policy issues, as many traditionally adhere to hawkish stances aligned with Bolton's views. They are likely to question whether Gabbard will heed the intelligence community's expert assessments or prioritize her own judgment as she advises the president.
Nevertheless, Gabbard’s team believes she is in a strong position to address any skepticism about her past.
— A Senate Republican has pointed out that Gabbard holds a Top Secret security clearance, and her promotion to lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve occurred in 2021, long after her Syria visit. “If this were a problem, then they would have had an investigation a long time ago and she wouldn’t have the high-level clearance she has,” asserted one ally.
— She is ready to provide context for some of her more controversial actions, planning to explain that meeting with Assad does not equate to supporting him and highlighting instances where she described him as a “brutal dictator” while condemning his actions.
— Gabbard is prepared to present a broader case for her noninterventionist philosophy, arguing that discussions with leaders like Assad are essential to preventing “endless wars.” Her narrative indicates that her military experience — rather than foreign propaganda — has informed her worldview. "Gabbard is in lockstep with President Trump and his statements on the events in Syria over the weekend,” Henning noted. “This is why President Trump was re-elected to prevent endless wars and put America First.”
— She has garnered support from at least one prominent figure in Graham, who referred to her as “extremely bright and capable” last month. Additionally, her allies include Senator Rand Paul, and she maintains connections with several former House members now serving in the Senate, such as Lankford, Marsha Blackburn, Dan Sullivan, and Markwayne Mullin.
— Gabbard is attempting to reach across the aisle, having sought meetings with some Intelligence Committee Democrats, albeit with limited success. Still, her team noted that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries sidestepped a question about whether Gabbard is a Russian agent, and she may find potential support from figures like Senator Bernie Sanders, who has yet to comment on her nomination.
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
