Tulsi Gabbard: Former Congresswoman, Veteran & Political Trailblazer

Tulsi Gabbard is an American Politician in & the United States Army Reserves, and her fans are wondering what happened to her face

Tulsi Gabbard has had a remarkable and unconventional career. She began her journey in politics in her early 20s in Hawaii, built a notable military résumé, served four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, ran for president in 2020, left the Democratic Party, joined the Republican Party, and was confirmed as Director of National Intelligence (DNI) in 2025.

Now a central and controversial figure in U.S. national security, Gabbard continues to attract media attention and political scrutiny.

Also Read: MSNBC Faces Backlash Over Edited Tulsi Gabbard Comment, Issues Correction

Early Life and Education of Tulsi Gabbard

Born in American Samoa and raised in Hawaii, Gabbard is the fourth of five children of Mike and Carol Gabbard.¹

Her parents opened a vegetarian restaurant, and she grew up practicing surfing, martial arts, and yoga.

She embraced Hinduism early and was homeschooled, later attending a girls’ school in the Philippines. She earned her business degree in 2009 while building her public service career.

I love it! Smooth ride and nice turns, Mr Burchett. Can’t wait to take it out! https://t.co/LTi7AwrIg3

— Tulsi Gabbard 🌺 (@TulsiGabbard) July 17, 2025

Quick Facts at a Glance

 

Tulsi Gabbard’s Military Service and Awards

Gabbard enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard in 2003 while serving in the state legislature.

Deployed to Iraq from July 2004 to 2005, she served in a medical unit at Logistical Support Area Anaconda and earned the Combat Medical Badge under fire.²

In 2007, she became the first woman to graduate top of her class from Officer Candidate School at Ft. McClellan, Alabama. She then trained counterterrorism units in Kuwait (2008–2009), received the Meritorious Service Medal, and joined the U.S. Army Reserve in 2020.³

Political Career in Hawaii

• Hawaii State Legislature (2002–2004): Elected at age 21, she became the state’s youngest legislator.

• Honolulu City Council (2010–2012): Built her municipal governance credentials.

• U.S. House of Representatives (2013–2021): Represented Hawaii’s 2nd District for four terms. She made history as the first Samoan and first Hindu to serve in Congress.⁴

While in Congress, she sat on key committees: Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, and Homeland Security. In 2018 she co‑sponsored the “No More Presidential Wars Act” advocating congressional oversight on military action.

Tulsi Gabbard’s Presidential Campaign of 2020

Gabbard ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in January 2019.

Her campaign emphasized anti‑war policies and non‑interventionist foreign policy. She ended her campaign on March 19, 2020, endorsing Joe Biden.⁵

She was among the first female combat veterans to campaign for the presidency, breaking ground for future candidates with military backgrounds.

Party Realignment

Disillusioned with the Democratic Party, Gabbard left in October 2022 and briefly became an independent.

In October 2024, she declared her affiliation with the Republican Party at a Trump rally and endorsed Donald Trump for president.

Tulsi Gabbard’s Director of National Intelligence (2025–Present)

Nomination and Confirmation

In November 2024, then‑President‑elect Trump nominated Gabbard as DNI.

She was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in February 2025 and sworn in on February 12, 2025, becoming the first Pacific Islander and first Hindu to hold a Cabinet‑level intelligence post.

Key Actions and Controversies

1. Russia‑2016 Election Documents (July 2025): Gabbard declassified documents alleging the Obama administration fabricated intelligence to frame Trump in the Russia probe. She accused officials of weaponizing intelligence and referred them to the DOJ, which responded by creating a strike force.⁶

2. Obama “Treasonous Conspiracy” Claim: She labeled the declassified files as evidence of a “treasonous conspiracy” and formally submitted criminal referrals.

3. MLK Assassination Records (July 21, 2025): Oversaw the release of more than 230,000 pages related to Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination in coordination with DOJ, FBI, CIA, and NARA.

4. White House Presence in Iran Briefing (June 2025): Released photos of her presence in the Situation Room during a U.S. strike on Iranian nuclear sites. She had previously opposed the rationale but later aligned with the administration’s assessment.⁷

5. Nuclear Warning Video (June 2025): Released a stark message on nuclear annihilation after visiting Hiroshima. The video sparked mixed reactions, with some labeling it “unhinged,” while others praised her call for peace.⁸

Tulsi Gabbard’s Political and Public Image

• Initially viewed as a Democratic rising star, Gabbard drew controversy when she met with Syria’s Bashar al‑Assad in 2017.⁹

• In opposition to Clinton, she apologized in 2019 for past anti‑LGBT positions and has since supported LGBT rights.

• Conservatives admire her anti‑establishment stance; liberals question her shift to Trump’s orbit.

• Supporters praise her military service, focus on transparency, and willingness to challenge entrenched narratives; critics argue she politicizes intelligence and endorses conspiracy theories.¹⁰

 

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A post shared by Tulsi Gabbard (@tulsigabbard)

Legacy and Looking Ahead

Tulsi Gabbard is a figure of historical distinction: a female combat veteran, the first Samoan and Hindu in Congress, and the first to lead national intelligence from a minority background.

Reinventing her political identity from Democrat to Republican, she now stands at the center of the most heated national security debates of our era.

Her future influence will be shaped by the DOJ’s review of her referrals, ongoing intelligence policy reforms, and how the public perceives her as a truth‑seeker or partisan provocateur.

Also Read: What Happened To Tulsi Gabbard Face And Where Is She Now? Is She A Republican Or A Democrat?

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