Tulsi Gabbard

Tulsi Gabbard is an American politician, military officer, and former member of the U.S.

Tulsi Gabbard is an American politician who served in the U.S. House of Representatives for Hawaii and later as director of national intelligence from 2025 to 2026. She was the first American Samoan and first Hindu member of Congress, and has shifted party affiliations from Democrat to Republican.

Background and early career

Gabbard was born in American Samoa and raised in Hawaii. She earned a business degree from Hawaii Pacific University and served in the U.S. Army Reserve. In 2012, she was elected to Congress, becoming the first American Samoan and first Hindu in the House. She served two terms representing Hawaii's 2nd district from 2013 to 2021.

Presidential run and party switch

In 2019, Gabbard launched a campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination, but suspended it in March 2020. She left the Democratic Party in 2022, became an independent, and then joined the Republican Party in 2024. Her political shifts have drawn attention to her evolving views.

Director of national intelligence

In February 2025, Gabbard was confirmed as the 8th director of national intelligence, overseeing the U.S. intelligence community. She resigned from the post effective June 19, 2026, after announcing her departure in May. Her tenure was brief but historic as the first female combat veteran and Pacific Islander in the role.