Letter Comments On Gabbard
President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence has sparked widespread support among military veterans, with over 250 prominent and rank-and-file veterans signing an open letter celebrating the choice. This endorsement underscores Gabbard’s reputation as a principled leader whose military service and policy positions resonate deeply with the veteran community.
The letter, titled “American Veterans for Tulsi Gabbard,” praises Gabbard’s lifelong dedication to service. A decorated veteran who has served over 20 years in the Army National Guard and Reserves, Gabbard deployed to Iraq with a medical unit during the height of the war, directly experiencing the costs of combat. Her supporters emphasize that instead of leveraging her political status to avoid deployment, she volunteered, embodying the selflessness central to military service.
Veterans lauded Gabbard for her continued advocacy for servicemembers and her staunch opposition to unnecessary wars. The letter highlights her work in Congress addressing issues like toxic exposure and cancer care for veterans. Signatories, including figures like retired Gen. Michael Flynn and former acting Secretary of Defense Chris Miller, argue that Gabbard’s leadership represents a decisive break from Washington’s entrenched establishment, which they blame for decades of foreign policy missteps.
“Tulsi’s life exemplifies a rare blend of selflessness, courage, and leadership—qualities desperately needed to reform and strengthen our intelligence community,” the letter asserts.
While critics like Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth have raised concerns about Gabbard’s past interactions with global leaders and her supposed national security risks, the veterans pushed back forcefully. They called such claims “baseless lies,” emphasizing that Gabbard’s record of service and sacrifice speaks louder than political rhetoric.
“Attacks questioning Tulsi’s loyalty to our great nation insult not only her but every one of us veterans who have served our country,” the letter states, contrasting her battlefield experience with the “failed policies” of Beltway insiders.
Gabbard’s nomination aligns closely with Trump’s stated “America First” philosophy, focusing on national security without embroiling the nation in unnecessary conflicts. In her own words, delivered at a Trump rally in October, Gabbard warned against the militaristic policies she associates with the Democratic establishment, arguing that Trump represents a path toward peace and restraint.
“A vote for Kamala Harris is a vote for Dick Cheney. And it’s a vote for war,” Gabbard declared. In contrast, she framed Trump as a leader capable of resisting the pressures to escalate military engagements, citing his record of avoiding new wars during his first term.
The letter from veterans emphasizes their confidence that Gabbard’s integrity and combat-tested leadership will reform the U.S. intelligence community while maintaining constitutional freedoms. Nearly 70% of the signatories have experience in special operations or intelligence, giving weight to their endorsement of Gabbard’s qualifications for overseeing the nation’s intelligence apparatus.