Donald Trump Picked Tulsi Gabbard For His Cabinet, And I'm So Disappointed In Her

Yesterday, Donald Trump announced he will nominate Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence. If she is confirmed, she'll become not only the first Samoan to land the position but also the first person of color.

  Steven Ferdman / Getty Images
Steven Ferdman / Getty Images

In a tweet, she thanked the president-elect for the "opportunity to serve" in his cabinet, and it's hard to explain the depth of my disappointment in her.

Tulsi Gabbard / Twitter: @TulsiGabbard

If you're not familiar with Tulsi: She was born in American Samoa and grew up in Hawai‘i, where she became the first Samoan American Congressmember. After serving in the Hawaii Army National Guard for 17 years, she joined the US Army Reserve in 2020. Back in 2016, she endorsed Bernie Sanders for president, and in 2020, she became the first Samoan to run for president. Throughout most of her political career, Tulsi was outspoken about progressive issues like protecting abortion rights and banning assault weapons.

  Jenny Anderson / ABC via Getty Images
Jenny Anderson / ABC via Getty Images

I was passionate about politics in college and interned for a California senator. During this time, Tulsi Gabbard was someone I looked up to — a Samoan Democratic woman, just like me! In a country with so little Pacific Islander representation, she made me feel like anything was possible.

Imagine my distraught when Tulsi pivoted on so many of her positions over the last several years. Abortion rights? She supported the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade and called it "making progress in limiting the jurisdiction of the federal government." Banning assault weapons? Her view has evolved thanks to a "much deeper and greater appreciation for our founders' intent for the Second Amendment." She left the Democratic Party in 2022 and spent two years as an Independent before joining the Republican Party last month. Though she herself endorsed Biden in 2020, she has taken to repeatedly and bizarrely comparing him to Adolf Hitler.

Person in a stylish suit smiles while standing in front of multiple U.S. flags
Justin Sullivan / Getty Images

Tulsi even flip-flopped on her opinion of Trump. In a 2018 tweet, she tagged the then-president, writing, "Hey @realdonaldtrump: being Saudi Arabia’s bitch is not 'America First.'"

Tulsi Gabbard / Twitter: @TulsiGabbard

Obviously, she's now a Trump supporter. She endorsed him this summer, saying, "I’m committed to doing all that I can to send President Trump back to the White House, where he can once again serve us as our commander-in-chief. Because I am confident that his first task will be to do the work to walk us back from the brink of war." She's also been accused of spreading conspiracy theories and has become something of a conservative media darling.

Two people are on stage with U.S. flags in the background; one is gesturing with fists, the other is smiling and wearing a light-colored suit
Kamil Krzaczynski / AFP via Getty Images

It's heartbreaking to see how much Tulsi has changed. TBH, it feels like a betrayal. I'm usually someone who goes out of my way to support other Pacific Islanders, but this is something I cannot support.

A woman in a navy blazer with gold buttons speaks energetically at a rally, standing behind a podium with a "Trump Will Fix It" sign
Charly Triballeau / AFP via Getty Images

To think that she could become the highest level of political representation for Pacific Islanders in this country? All I can say is this: Tulsi, you don't represent me.

What do you think about all this? LMK in the comments below.