Tulsi Gabbard leveraging House connections, extensive military record, in confirmation fight

Tulsi Gabbard, a longtime military veteran, has an interesting coalition backing her in her DNI confirmation hearing: over 1,000 veterans, her former House colleagues, and more.

Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman and a military veteran of 22 years, is leveraging her House ties and years in the armed forces as she embarks on a quest to be confirmed as President Donald Trump’s Director of National Intelligence (DNI).

Although Reuters reported recently that eight GOP senators are “unsure” about Gabbard, her team told the Washington Reporter that her meetings with senators of both parties have been “going really great actually.”

“She had a good meeting with Fetterman, with Murkowski they met for over an hour and it was positive because they have this special Alaska/Hawaii connection,” one Trump source said. Some of Gabbard’s former House colleagues will also be voting on her confirmation, and several have been particularly helpful, including now-Sens. James Lankford (R., Okla.), Marsha Blackburn (R., Tenn.), Markwayne Mullin (R., Okla.), her team added. Senators who hadn’t served with Gabbard before who have been particularly helpful include Joni Ernst (R., Iowa) and Dan Sullivan (R., Alaska), both military veterans themselves.

“Her meeting with Risch went great; same with her meetings with Moran, Cornyn, and Tillis,” a transition source said, adding that “her support is a wide array of political spectrum.” Gabbard has spoken with several of the past heads of DNI, as well as the current one.

“Had a good meeting with @TulsiGabbard about her nomination to be @realDonaldTrump ’s Director of National Intelligence,” Sen. John Cornyn (R., Texas) tweeted following his meeting with Gabbard. “She is impressive, and I’m looking forward to her confirmation hearing early next year.” Cornyn was one of the Republican senators rumored to have reservations; however, he emerged “impressed” by her remarks in their meeting and looks forward to her confirmation hearing, per a source.

The Trump team recently rolled out a roundup of support for Gabbard from almost two dozen current and incoming senators, including Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.), who served with Gabbard in the same Army reserve unit. Gabbard is also “close with” Sens. Kyrsten Sinema and Kristen Gillibrand, both former House members, a transition source said.

Gabbard, who commands a unit of drill sergeants, has also been backed for the job by over 1,100 veterans — including Chris LaCivita, one of Trump’s top aides, which suggests that the Trump team is all-in for Gabbard.

“She remains committed to the Senate’s advice and consent process and looks forward to meetings continuing in the new year,” a source close to Gabbard noted.