Tulsi Gabbard

Tulsi Gabbard, born April 12, 1981, is an American politician, author, and commentator who served as a U.S. Representative for Hawaii’s 2nd congressional district from 2013 to 2021. She gained national attention for her outspoken views and unconventional political stances, often defying party lines.

Gabbard’s early life was deeply influenced by her family’s involvement in the Science of Identity Foundation, a religious group some have described as a cult, allegations she has denied. She served in the Hawaii Army National Guard and deployed to Iraq in 2004-2005 as a medical operations specialist, later serving in Kuwait. Her military service significantly shaped her perspective on foreign policy and national security.

Entering politics at a young age, Gabbard was elected to the Hawaii House of Representatives at just 21, becoming the youngest woman ever elected to a U.S. state legislature. Later, she served on the Honolulu City Council before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. During her time in Congress, she served on the Armed Services Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee, focusing on veterans’ affairs, national security, and foreign policy.

Gabbard’s political positions are a blend of liberal and conservative viewpoints. While generally progressive on social issues such as LGBTQ+ rights and environmental protection, she holds more hawkish views on foreign policy, particularly regarding interventionism and regime change wars. Her meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2017 sparked significant controversy and criticism.

In 2020, Gabbard ran for President of the United States as a Democrat. Her campaign focused on ending regime change wars, promoting criminal justice reform, and addressing economic inequality. While she didn’t gain significant traction in the primaries, her presence on the debate stage allowed her to voice her unique perspectives on key issues. She ultimately suspended her campaign and endorsed Joe Biden.

Since leaving Congress, Gabbard has become a more vocal commentator and political analyst, often appearing on Fox News and other media outlets. She has increasingly criticized the Democratic Party and expressed support for conservative positions on certain issues. In 2022, she announced she was leaving the Democratic Party, citing its “wokeness” and what she described as its control by an “elitist cabal of warmongers.”

Tulsi Gabbard remains a figure of considerable interest and debate in American politics. Her background, military service, and unorthodox political views have made her a unique and often controversial voice in the political landscape. Whether praised for her independent thinking or criticized for her stances, she continues to spark discussion and challenge conventional political norms.