When Donald Trump named former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard as his pick to be director of national intelligence, liberal heads predictably exploded, with the usual suspects like Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO), Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) former National Security Adviser John Bolton and others claiming that she was a “Russian asset.”
On Monday, however, over 250 veterans released a letter indicating their full support for Gabbard, a former Democrat who got sick of their tired old playbook and became an independent in 2022. She went on to join the Republican party in October.
The veterans praised her service to the country, calling her “fearless and principled”:
"President Donald Trump’s selection of Tulsi Gabbard reflects a profound recognition of her steadfast dedication to our nation and her unwavering commitment to safeguarding the American people. While most Americans know Tulsi as a fearless and principled Congresswoman who stood up to entrenched political systems, we know her as a fellow veteran—one whose worldview was forged through the crucible of serving in combat zones and a lifelong devotion to service," reads a letter, "American Veterans for Tulsi Gabbard," which was published Monday and obtained by Fox News Digital.
JUST IN: More than 250 veterans in the military and intelligence community have rallied in support of Donald Trump's pick to become the Director of National Intelligence: @TulsiGabbard.
— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) December 9, 2024
"President Donald Trump’s selection of Tulsi Gabbard reflects a profound recognition of her… pic.twitter.com/gmS4XCg6yP
"President Donald Trump’s selection of Tulsi Gabbard reflects a profound recognition of her steadfast dedication to our nation and her unwavering commitment to safeguarding the American people," reads the letter from American Veterans for Tulsi Gabbard (AVTG)."
There are a number of recognizable names on the list, including retired Gen. Michael Flynn, former acting Secretary of Defense Chris Miller, Arizona Rep. Eli Crane, Florida Rep. Brian Mast, and political commentator Jack Posobiec.
100 ‘intel officials’ signed a letter attacking Tulsi Gabbard last week
— Jack Poso 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) December 9, 2024
So we got 250 vets to sign a letter supporting her today
Related: Crazed Democrats Trot Out 'Russia, Russia, Russia' Talking Point Against Tulsi Gabbard
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The letter continues:
"Because of the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks, Tulsi answered the call of duty, enlisted in the Army, and stepped away from her position as a Hawaii State Representative when she volunteered to deploy to Iraq with her unit. Instead of using her political status to avoid deployment, Tulsi volunteered to serve in a medical unit in Iraq, directly facing the harsh realities, costs, and traumas of war," the letter continues.
"Her commitment to service did not end there," it added, before pointing to Gabbard’s 22 years of standing "shoulder-to-shoulder with her fellow servicemembers," including when she served in the House.
Gabbard was elected to the House in 2021 but did not run for reelection in 2020 after deciding to run for president as a Democrat. She has served as a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserves since 2021 after serving in the Hawaii Army National Guard for around 17 years.
She is expected to make the rounds on Capitol Hill to meet with members of the Senate Intelligence Committee and GOP leadership to gain further support.
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