Staff Reports
Tulsi Gabbard is throwing down the gauntlet, and it seems she’s picked up a big, red MAGA hat as her accessory of choice. Fresh off the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria, the former Hawaii representative and now Director of National Intelligence-designate is coming out swinging. With Donald Trump cheering her on from the sidelines, Gabbard’s anti-interventionist stance is gaining traction, proving that sometimes former Democrats can actually find a home—if only temporarily—under the Republican umbrella.
This shift didn’t come without its drama. Gabbard first attempted to climb the political ladder with her presidential campaign in 2020, only to bolt the Democratic Party like it was on fire. Now, as she stands poised for a contentious confirmation, it’s clear Gabbard is not just a party flipper but a potential game changer for conservatives wary of military entanglements abroad. The political establishment has taken notice, and not in a good way. Rather than celebrating her pragmatism, many in the Democratic camp have resorted to outrageous claims that label her a “Russian asset.” What’s next? Accusing her of being in cahoots with the tooth fairy?
With the recent collapse of the Assad regime, the political ball is in Gabbard’s court, and she appears ready to knock it out of the park. While Joe Biden’s administration seems intent on involving the U.S. in the Syrian chaos, Trump has swung the pendulum the other way. He insists the U.S. should steer clear of foreign conflicts, suggesting that Russia’s disinterest in protecting Assad could be a chance for negotiations on several fronts, including the ongoing war in Ukraine. Gabbard is more than happy to align herself with Trump’s clear-cut vision on this issue, thereby distancing herself from the blurry lines of conventional GOP thought.
In tandem with her foreign policy refocusing, Gabbard’s open commitment to protecting free speech has conservatives cheering for her at the prospect of her alongside the Trump administration. In past appearances, Gabbard has made it clear that the efforts to control “misinformation” may very well turn into a thinly veiled attempt to stifle free speech. This is music to the ears of many on the right, as they have long been wary of government overreach and Big Tech censorship.
While many Republican heavyweights in the House are optimistic about Gabbard’s nomination, it is the Senate that will ultimately hold the keys to her confirmation. Some established hawks are already hedging their bets. Lindsey Graham, for instance, has had some philosophical back-and-forths with Gabbard over foreign policy, but he seems to think it’s worth giving her a shot. For others, it’s clear that Gabbard represents a fresh breeze that could, ironically, rattle the cages of the DC establishment, forever stuck in a circuit of perpetual conflict.
We have zero interests in Syria.
Stop the grift by the neocons.
Tulsi Gabbard goes on offense with Trump’s support as Assad falls https://t.co/jB6tSyinEl via @JustTheNews
— Stewart Kahn (@StewartKahn) December 11, 2024
However, there are murmurs of dissent from within the Senate ranks. Some suggest that Gabbard’s growing notoriety, especially among the conservative faction, has made her a target for establishment-types seeking to retain the status quo. After all, it’s no secret that in Washington, if you’re not part of the club, you’re fair game. But Gabbard’s track record seems to indicate that she isn’t easily intimidated. With her First Amendment advocacy and her outspoken opposition to unwarranted government surveillance, her confirmation could not only position her as a key player in the intelligence realm but also challenge the prevailing norms that have gripped Washington for far too long.
As the drama continues to unfold in both Syria and the U.S. political arena, Gabbard’s journey from underdog Democrat to the potential face of new conservative leadership is one for the books. Who would have thought that a liberal from Hawaii could end up at the center of the political crossfire? The next chapter promises to be as thrilling as a blockbuster political thriller—and the popcorn is in order.
