Tulsi Gabbard named director of national intelligence by Trump

President-elect Donald Trump has selected Tulsi Gabbard as the next director of national intelligence. Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman and military veteran, lacks the typical intelligence background of previous officeholders. She has recently become popular among Trump supporters. Gabbard, 43, is notable for being the first Hindu elected to Congress and the first American Samoan in the House. She served four terms and gained attention for her progressive views and criticism of her party's leadership. In 2022, she left the Democratic Party, citing a shift in its values. As director, Gabbard will oversee potential changes to the intelligence community, which Trump has criticized in the past. The position was created in 2004 to improve cooperation among U.S. intelligence agencies.