History of Tulsi Gabbard in Timeline

Tulsi Gabbard is an American politician and military officer currently serving as the Director of National Intelligence since 2025. A Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve since 2021, she previously served as a U.S. Representative for Hawaii's 2nd congressional district (2013-2021). Gabbard's political affiliations have shifted over time, beginning as a Democrat, becoming an Independent in 2022, and later joining the Republican Party in 2024. She was also the youngest state legislator in Hawaii from 2002 to 2004.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Controversies & Scandals

1915: Gabbard comments on the Armenian Genocide

In 2019, Tulsi Gabbard was a co-sponsor of the Armenian Genocide Resolution. While talking about the 1915 mass killings, Gabbard said, "the Ottoman Empire was attempting to cleanse itself of the Armenian and Christian populations, and the US became home to many survivors".

April 12, 1981: Tulsi Gabbard's Birth

On April 12, 1981, Tulsi Gabbard was born in Leloaloa, American Samoa.

Others born on this day/year

1983: Family moved back to Hawaii

In 1983, when she was two years old, Tulsi Gabbard's family moved back to Hawaii.

1998: Support for Anti-Gay Marriage Amendment

In 1998, at age 17, Tulsi Gabbard supported her father's campaign to amend the Constitution of Hawaii to give lawmakers the power to "reserve marriage to opposite-sex couples". She also favored the Federal Marriage Amendment.

2002: Youngest State Legislator in Hawaii

In 2002, Tulsi Gabbard became the youngest state legislator in Hawaii.

2002: Dropped out of Leeward Community College to run for Hawaii State Legislature

In 2002, Tulsi Gabbard dropped out of Leeward Community College to run for the Hawaii state legislature, becoming the youngest woman ever elected as a U.S. state representative.

2002: Won Election to Hawaii House of Representatives

In 2002, Tulsi Gabbard won the general election with 60.7% of the vote, defeating Republican Alfonso Jimenez and at the age of 21, Gabbard became the youngest legislator ever elected in Hawaii's history, and was at the time the youngest woman ever elected to a U.S. state legislature.

2002: Gabbard marries Eduardo Tamayo

In 2002, at the age of 21, Tulsi Gabbard married Eduardo Tamayo.

April 2003: Enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard

In April 2003, while serving in the Hawaii State Legislature, Tulsi Gabbard enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard.

2003: Joined the Hawaii Army National Guard

In 2003, Tulsi Gabbard joined the Hawaii Army National Guard.

July 2004: Deployed to Iraq

In July 2004, Tulsi Gabbard was deployed for a 12-month tour in Iraq, serving as a specialist with the Medical Company, 29th Support Battalion, 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Hawaii Army National Guard.

August 2004: Announced She Would Not Campaign for Reelection

In August 2004, Tulsi Gabbard announced that she would not campaign for a second term in the Hawaii House of Representatives after volunteering for Army National Guard service in Iraq.

2004: Gabbard deployed to Iraq

From 2004 to 2005, Tulsi Gabbard was deployed to Iraq, serving with the National Guard.

2004: Served as State Legislator in Hawaii

In 2004, Tulsi Gabbard served as a state legislator in Hawaii.

2005: Gabbard deployed to Iraq

From 2004 to 2005, Tulsi Gabbard was deployed to Iraq, serving with the National Guard.

2005: Completed Tour in Iraq

In 2005, Tulsi Gabbard completed her tour in Iraq at Logistical Support Area Anaconda. Because of the deployment, she chose not to campaign for reelection to the state legislature.

2005: Received Combat Medical Badge

In 2005, Tulsi Gabbard received a Combat Medical Badge for participation in combat operations under enemy hostile fire in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III. She has also been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal from the United States and she received the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency.

2006: Gabbard and Tamayo divorce

In 2006, Tulsi Gabbard and Eduardo Tamayo divorced. Gabbard later discussed the stresses war places on military spouses and families.

March 2007: Graduated from Alabama Military Academy

In March 2007, Tulsi Gabbard graduated from the Accelerated Officer Candidate School at the Alabama Military Academy at the top of her class, the first woman ever to do so.

2007: Completed Officer Training Program

In 2007, Tulsi Gabbard completed the officer training program at the Alabama Military Academy.

2008: Stationed in Kuwait

From 2008 to 2009, Tulsi Gabbard was stationed in Kuwait as an Army Military Police platoon leader.

2009: Ran for Honolulu City Council

After returning home from her second deployment to the Middle East in 2009, Tulsi Gabbard ran for a seat on the Honolulu City Council.

2009: Graduated from Hawaii Pacific University

In 2009, Tulsi Gabbard graduated from Hawaii Pacific University with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration with a concentration in international business.

2009: Served in Kuwait

In 2009, Tulsi Gabbard was one of the first women to enter a Kuwaiti military facility, as well as the first woman to receive an award of appreciation from the Kuwait National Guard.

September 2010: Finished First in Honolulu City Council Primary

In September 2010, Tulsi Gabbard finished first with 26.8% of the vote in the 10-candidate nonpartisan open primary for a seat on the Honolulu City Council.

May 2011: Declared Candidacy for U.S. House Seat

In May 2011, Tulsi Gabbard declared her candidacy for the open House seat for Hawaii's 2nd congressional district and ultimately won the primary with 55% of the vote.

August 16, 2012: Resigned from Honolulu City Council

On August 16, 2012, Tulsi Gabbard resigned from the Honolulu City Council to focus on her congressional campaign.

December 2012: Applied for U.S. Senate Seat

In December 2012, Tulsi Gabbard applied for appointment to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by the death of Daniel Inouye.

2012: Apology for Anti-Gay Advocacy

In 2012, Tulsi Gabbard apologized for her "anti-gay advocacy" and pledged to "fight for the repeal" of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

2012: Spoke at Democratic National Convention

In 2012, Tulsi Gabbard spoke at the Democratic National Convention and in the general election, she defeated Republican Kawika Crowley with 80.6% of the vote, becoming the first voting Samoan American and the first Hindu member of Congress.

2012: Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives

In 2012, Tulsi Gabbard was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Hawaii's 2nd congressional district, becoming the first Samoan American and Hindu American member of U.S. Congress.

January 22, 2013: Elected as Vice Chair of the DNC

On January 22, 2013, Tulsi Gabbard was unanimously elected as a vice chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC).

March 2013: Introduced the Helping Heroes Fly Act

In March 2013, Tulsi Gabbard introduced the Helping Heroes Fly Act to expedite airport security screening for severely wounded veterans. The bill received bipartisan support, passed unanimously in both chambers of Congress, and was signed into law by President Obama.

June 2013: Co-Sponsor of DOMA Repeal

In June 2013, Tulsi Gabbard was an initial cosponsor of the legislation to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

November 25, 2013: Gabbard receives John F. Kennedy New Frontier Award

On November 25, 2013, Tulsi Gabbard received the John F. Kennedy New Frontier Award at a ceremony at the Institute of Politics at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government for her efforts on behalf of veterans.

2013: U.S. Representative for Hawaii's 2nd Congressional District

In 2013, Tulsi Gabbard became the U.S. representative for Hawaii's 2nd congressional district.

2013: Gabbard takes oath of office with Bhagavad Gita

In 2013, Tulsi Gabbard took the oath of office with her personal copy of the Bhagavad Gita.

2013: Vice-chair of the Democratic National Committee

In 2013, Tulsi Gabbard was vice-chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC).

March 20, 2014: Elle magazine honors Gabbard

On March 20, 2014, Elle magazine honored Tulsi Gabbard and others at the Italian Embassy in the United States during its annual "Women in Washington Power List".

2014: Reelected to Congress

In 2014, Tulsi Gabbard was reelected to Congress, defeating Kawika Crowley again with 78.7% of the vote.

2014: Gabbard presents Bhagavad Gita to Narendra Modi

In 2014, as a Congresswoman, Tulsi Gabbard presented a copy of the Bhagavad Gita to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the United States. Gabbard also supported Modi's efforts for the declaration of an International Yoga Day by the United Nations.

February 26, 2015: Gabbard receives National Association of Counties County Alumni Award

On February 26, 2015, Tulsi Gabbard received the National Association of Counties County Alumni Award for her "steadfast commitment to the nation's counties".

July 15, 2015: Gabbard receives Friend of the National Parks Award

On July 15, 2015, Tulsi Gabbard received the Friend of the National Parks Award from the National Parks Conservation Association.

September 2015: Criticism of DNC Debate Limits

In September 2015, Tulsi Gabbard criticized DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz's decision to limit the number of debates in the 2016 Democratic primary.

October 12, 2015: Promoted to Major

On October 12, 2015, Tulsi Gabbard was promoted from the rank of captain to major at a ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

October 2015: Reportedly Asked Not to Attend Debate

Following her criticism of the DNC, in October 2015, Tulsi Gabbard was reportedly asked not to attend the October 2015 debate in Las Vegas.

November 2015: Introduced Talia's Law

In November 2015, Tulsi Gabbard introduced Talia's Law, aimed at preventing child abuse and neglect on military bases.

2015: Gabbard marries Abraham Williams

In 2015, Tulsi Gabbard married Abraham Williams in a traditional Vedic Hindu wedding.

2015: Support for Increased Border Security in 2015

In 2015, Tulsi Gabbard, along with 47 other Democrats, supported increased border security and voted with Republicans for vetting of Iraqi and Syrian refugees. She also called for halting the visa waiver program until the threat of terrorist attacks was resolved.

2015: Became a Major with the Hawaii Army National Guard

In 2015, while also serving in Congress, Tulsi Gabbard became a major with the Hawaii Army National Guard.

February 2016: Congress Passed Talia's Law

In February 2016, Congress passed Talia's Law, which was introduced by Tulsi Gabbard.

February 28, 2016: Resignation as DNC Vice Chair to Endorse Bernie Sanders

On February 28, 2016, Tulsi Gabbard resigned as DNC vice chair to endorse Bernie Sanders for president. She appeared on Meet the Press to discuss her resignation and later launched a petition to eliminate superdelegates in the Democratic nomination process.

December 2016: Talia's Law Signed into Law

In December 2016, Talia's Law, aimed at preventing child abuse and neglect on military bases, was signed into law.

December 2016: Congressional Gold Medal to Filipino Veterans

In December 2016, a bill co-sponsored by Tulsi Gabbard and Senator Hirono to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Filipino and Filipino American veterans of World War II was signed into law by President Obama.

2016: Sanders's Running Mate and Faithless Elector

During the 2016 election, Tulsi Gabbard was listed as Bernie Sanders's running mate for write-in votes in California. A Minnesota faithless elector cast a vote for Sanders as president and Gabbard as vice president, though this vote was nullified per state law.

2016: Mention of Hillary Clinton

In 2016, Hillary Clinton was the presidential nominee.

2016: Criticism of DNC Chair and Endorsement of Bernie Sanders

In 2016, Tulsi Gabbard accused Wasserman Schultz of favoring Hillary Clinton in the primary.

2016: Views on Foreign Policy in 2016

In 2016, Tulsi Gabbard described herself as a hawk "when it comes to the war against terrorists" but a dove "when it comes to counterproductive wars of regime change". She has been a strong supporter of the US military offensive to defeat ISIS and calls for reducing military interventionism.

2016: Resigned from DNC to endorse Bernie Sanders

In 2016, Tulsi Gabbard resigned from her position as vice-chair of the Democratic National Committee to endorse Bernie Sanders for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination.

2016: Support for Standing Rock Sioux Tribe

In 2016, Tulsi Gabbard supported the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe against the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline, co-signing a letter requesting the Obama administration to address tribal concerns.

2016: Gabbard supports Diwali stamp campaign

In 2016, Tulsi Gabbard supported the campaign by Hindu Americans for a Diwali commemorative stamp in the United States, noting that the Diwali festival honors values such as righteousness "that transcend different religions, and backgrounds."

2016: Opposition to GMO-Labeling Bill

In 2016, Tulsi Gabbard voted against a GMO-labeling bill, stating it was too weak. She supports clear GMO labeling and efforts to reduce antibiotic use in livestock and promote organic farming.

2016: Reelected to Congress

In 2016, Tulsi Gabbard was reelected with 81.2% of the vote, defeating Republican Angela Kaaihue.

2017: Gabbard Clarifies 2017 Syria Trip

In 2017, Tulsi Gabbard addressed her 2017 trip to Syria with Dennis Kucinich, clarifying that he arranged the meetings and that she was unaware of extremist remarks made by Grand Mufti Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun. She stated the trip was cleared by House Ethics and that she informed the Trump administration upon her return. She also assured that whistleblowers would have proper legal channels and would not protect those who disclosed classified intelligence improperly.

2017: Endorsement of Keith Ellison for DNC Chair

In 2017, Tulsi Gabbard endorsed Keith Ellison for DNC chair.

2017: Introduced the Off Fossil Fuels Act

In 2017, Tulsi Gabbard introduced the Off Fossil Fuels (OFF) Act, which aimed for a transition to 100% clean energy by 2035.

2017: Gabbard visits Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh

In 2017, Tulsi Gabbard visited Armenia and the then-disputed breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh as part of a U.S. lawmakers team and was subsequently blacklisted by Azerbaijan.

September 2018: Co-sponsored the No More Presidential Wars Act

In September 2018, Tulsi Gabbard and Republican Representative Walter Jones co-sponsored the No More Presidential Wars Act to reaffirm Congress's authority over war declarations.

September 30, 2018: Gabbard receives Ho'ola Na Pua Advocacy Award

On September 30, 2018, Tulsi Gabbard received the Ho'ola Na Pua Advocacy Award for "her dedication to serving and empowering human trafficking survivors in Hawaii" at their annual Pearl Gala.

October 16, 2018: Gabbard honored as Hawaii Pacific University's Distinguished Alumni

On October 16, 2018, Tulsi Gabbard was honored as Hawaii Pacific University's 2018 Paul T. C. Loo Distinguished Alumni.

2018: Introduced the Securing America's Election Act

In 2018, Tulsi Gabbard introduced the Securing America's Election Act, requiring all voting districts to use paper ballots to ensure an auditable paper trail.

2018: Amendment to Improve Protective Equipment

In 2018, Tulsi Gabbard successfully passed an amendment to improve protective equipment for civil defense agencies near volcanic activity.

February 2019: Launch of 2020 Presidential Campaign

In February 2019, Tulsi Gabbard officially launched her 2020 presidential campaign.

July 2019: Visit to Puerto Rico and Protests

In July 2019, Tulsi Gabbard was the only 2020 presidential candidate to visit Puerto Rico and join protests urging Governor Ricardo Rosselló to resign.

September 2019: Media Coverage of Gabbard's Presidential Campaign

In September 2019, media coverage of Gabbard's presidential campaign was summarized by Vanity Fair as "the press hates Gabbard even more than it hates Sanders".

October 2019: Accusations of McCarthyism and Media Attacks

Also in October 2019, James Carden of The Nation wrote that "McCarthyism had gone mainstream" as media attacked Tulsi Gabbard.

October 2019: Hillary Clinton's "Russian Asset" Claim

In October 2019, Hillary Clinton suggested that Tulsi Gabbard was a "Russian asset", leading to defenses from fellow presidential candidates and Trump, and condemnation from CNN's Van Jones.

October 2019: Qualification for the Fourth Debate

In October 2019, Tulsi Gabbard qualified for the fourth Democratic primary debate in Ohio.

October 25, 2019: Gabbard Announces She Will Not Seek Reelection in 2020

On October 25, 2019, Tulsi Gabbard announced she would not seek reelection in 2020, citing her presidential campaign.

December 2019: Saturday Night Live Parodies

After the December 2019 debate, Saturday Night Live's parodies of the debates showed Tulsi Gabbard as the villain.

December 2019: Missed Votes and Impeachment Vote

During December 2019, while campaigning for president, Tulsi Gabbard missed 85% of votes in Congress but cast a "present" vote on both articles of impeachment in the first impeachment of Donald Trump.

December 2019: Gabbard Votes "Present" on Trump Impeachment

In December 2019, Tulsi Gabbard voted "present" during the House of Representatives vote to impeach President Trump, citing The Federalist Papers essay No. 65. She also introduced H. Res. 766 to censure Trump for his foreign policy decisions, leaving the question of removing him from office to the voters. She expressed concerns that the impeachment would negatively impact her party's chances in the upcoming elections.

December 20, 2019: Stop Arming Terrorists Act Becomes Law

On December 20, 2019, the Stop Arming Terrorists Act, introduced by Tulsi Gabbard in 2017, became law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020, prohibiting the Department of Defense from knowingly providing weapons or support to Al Qaeda or other terrorist groups.

2019: Apology for Past Anti-Gay Views

After launching her presidential campaign in 2019, Tulsi Gabbard apologized for her past anti-gay views, attributing the change to her experience in the military with LGBTQ service members. She received support from Tucker Carlson, Glenn Greenwald, and Sean Patrick Maloney after criticism over her past remarks.

2019: Concerns over Farmer Bankruptcies

In 2019, Tulsi Gabbard expressed concern over farmer bankruptcies and declining farm incomes, particularly due to the China–United States trade war. She supports a moratorium on the construction and expansion of concentrated animal feeding operations.

2019: Amendment to Reexamine Runit Dome

In 2019, Tulsi Gabbard successfully passed an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would require the Department of Energy to reexamine the safety of the Runit Dome, a leaking Cold War-era nuclear waste site in the Marshall Islands.

2019: Gabbard co-sponsors Armenian Genocide Resolution

In 2019, Tulsi Gabbard was a co-sponsor of the Armenian Genocide Resolution, along with several other U.S. senators and U.S. representatives, to lock in official U.S. recognition and permanent remembrance of the Armenian genocide.

January 2020: Gabbard Calls for Drug Legalization

In January 2020, Tulsi Gabbard advocated for legalizing and regulating all drugs, citing Portugal's model for drug decriminalization.

January 2020: Legal Defamation Lawsuit Against Clinton

In January 2020, Tulsi Gabbard filed a legal defamation lawsuit against Hillary Clinton over the 'Russian asset' assertion.

March 3, 2020: Earned Delegates in American Samoa

On March 3, 2020, Tulsi Gabbard earned two delegates in American Samoa, making her the second woman of color (after Shirley Chisholm) and the first Asian-American and Pacific-Islander presidential candidate to earn primary delegates.

March 2020: Resumption of Regular Attendance After Suspending Presidential Campaign

After suspending her presidential campaign in March 2020, Tulsi Gabbard resumed regular attendance in Congress.

March 2020: Ended Presidential Campaign and endorsed Joe Biden

In March 2020, Tulsi Gabbard dropped out of her 2020 presidential campaign and endorsed Joe Biden.

March 19, 2020: Dropped Out of the 2020 Election and Endorsed Joe Biden

On March 19, 2020, Tulsi Gabbard dropped out of the 2020 election and endorsed former vice president Joe Biden.

June 2020: Gabbard Introduces Amendment on CBD Use for Armed Services

In June 2020, Tulsi Gabbard introduced an amendment to the House version of the 2021 NDAA to allow members of Armed Services to use products containing CBD and other hemp derivatives. It was approved 336 to 71 as a package, although House leaders did not fight for its inclusion in the final bill.

June 2020: Transferred to the 351st Civil Affairs Command

In June 2020, Tulsi Gabbard transferred to the 351st Civil Affairs Command, a California-based United States Army Reserve unit assigned to the United States Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command.

July 2020: Gabbard Meets with Vanessa Guillén's Family, Calls for Reforms

In July 2020, Tulsi Gabbard met with the family of Vanessa Guillén, a U.S. Army soldier who was murdered after being reported missing, and called for reforms to address military sexual harassment.

August 2020: Advocacy for Jennifer Smith

In August 2020, Tulsi Gabbard advocated for Jennifer Smith, a Hawaii Department of Health epidemiologist who reported issues with the state's COVID-19 contact tracing program.

September 2020: Conversion of Presidential Campaign Committee and Criticism of Netflix Film

In September 2020, Tulsi Gabbard converted her presidential campaign committee, Tulsi Now, into Tulsi Aloha, a leadership PAC. That same month, she criticized Netflix over the film Cuties, arguing that it contributed to the exploitation of children.

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October 2020: Introduction of Bills Regarding Snowden and Assange

In October 2020, Tulsi Gabbard and Representative Matt Gaetz introduced a bill calling for the U.S. to drop criminal charges against Edward Snowden. She also introduced a similar bill with Representative Thomas Massie advocating for Julian Assange's release from prison in the United Kingdom.

November 2020: Reinstatement of Jennifer Smith

In November 2020, Jennifer Smith, who Tulsi Gabbard advocated for, was reinstated in her position.

2020: Gabbard criticizes Trump's China policy

During her 2020 presidential campaign, Tulsi Gabbard criticized President Donald Trump's confrontational attitude towards China, proposing a cooperative relationship. She opposed his trade war with China, expressing concern it could lead to a "hot war" and hinder efforts to secure Chinese support on North Korea's nuclear program.

2020: Most Frequently Googled Candidate

During the 2020 Democratic primary debates, Tulsi Gabbard was the most frequently Googled candidate after the first, second, and fourth debates.

2020: Gabbard accuses Turkey of inciting Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

In 2020, Tulsi Gabbard accused Turkey of encouraging the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan and co-signed a letter expressing concern over Azerbaijan's aggression against Artsakh. She urged the U.S. to call for an end to attacks and Turkey's involvement.

2020: Introduction of "Protect Women's Sports Act"

In 2020, Tulsi Gabbard and Republican U.S. representative Markwayne Mullin introduced the "Protect Women's Sports Act," which sought to define Title IX protections based on biological sex. This led to condemnation from activists and LGBTQ organizations, including the Human Rights Campaign.

2020: Presidential Candidacy

In 2020, Tulsi Gabbard ran for president.

2020: Transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve

In 2020, Tulsi Gabbard transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve.

2020: Gabbard presents at Island Music Awards

In 2020, Tulsi Gabbard was a presenter at iHeartRadio Honolulu's virtual festival, Island Music Awards 2020. She highlights her lifelong appreciation for the Hawaiian culture and its Aloha spirit.

2020: Shift in Political Positions in 2020

In 2020, Tulsi Gabbard, while maintaining liberal stances on domestic issues during her presidential primary run, began adopting positions more aligned with the Republican Party on social issues, including abortion, gun control, and transgender rights. She introduced a bill to ban trans women from female sports and supported that women sports should be for biological females.

2020: Mentioned as Potential 2020 Presidential Candidate

Shortly after the 2016 election, Tulsi Gabbard was mentioned as a potential 2020 presidential candidate.

January 2021: Launch of Podcast and Appearances on Fox News

In January 2021, Tulsi Gabbard launched her own podcast, called This is Tulsi Gabbard. She also made several appearances on Fox News programs, criticizing figures such as House speaker Nancy Pelosi and U.S. representative Adam Schiff.

July 4, 2021: Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel

On July 4, 2021, Tulsi Gabbard was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel, while she was deployed to the Horn of Africa working as a civil affairs officer in support of a special operations mission. She was then given the command of the 1st Battalion, 354th Regiment, based in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

November 2021: Celebrated Glenn Youngkin's Victory

In November 2021, Tulsi Gabbard celebrated the victory of Republican candidate Glenn Youngkin in the Virginia Gubernatorial election.

2021: Departure from Congress

After her departure from Congress in 2021, Tulsi Gabbard took more mainstream positions on issues such as transgender rights, border security, and foreign policy.

2021: Biden recognizes Armenian genocide

In 2021, President Joe Biden recognized the Ottoman-era mass killings of Armenians as a genocide, despite opposition by Turkey.

2021: Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve

In 2021, Tulsi Gabbard held the rank of lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve.

2021: Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel

In 2021, Tulsi Gabbard was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve.

March 9, 2022: Gabbard Expresses Concern Over Unsecured Bio Agents in Ukraine

On March 9, 2022, during an interview with Tucker Carlson, Tulsi Gabbard expressed extreme concern about the potential presence of unsecured and dangerous bio agents in 20 to 30 labs located within Ukraine, amidst the ongoing war zone.

March 13, 2022: Mitt Romney accuses Gabbard of parroting Russian propaganda

On March 13, 2022, Mitt Romney tweeted that Tulsi Gabbard made bogus claims about a US funded covert biological weapons program in Ukraine and that she is parroting false Russian propaganda, saying that her treasonous lies may well cost lives.

April 2022: Expressed Support for Florida's Parental Rights Bill

In April 2022, Tulsi Gabbard expressed support for Florida's publicly debated Parental Rights Bill, stating it did not go far enough.

August 2022: Fill-in Host for Tucker Carlson Tonight

In August 2022, Tulsi Gabbard began serving as the fill-in host for Tucker Carlson Tonight.

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October 11, 2022: Announcement of Leaving the Democratic Party

On October 11, 2022, Tulsi Gabbard announced on Twitter that she was leaving the Democratic Party, citing disagreements with its leadership.

November 2022: Signed Deal with Fox News

In November 2022, Tulsi Gabbard signed a deal with Fox News as a paid contributor.

2022: Openness to Border Wall Proposal

By 2022, Tulsi Gabbard expressed openness to a proposal for a border wall if experts deemed it warranted.

2022: Endorsement of Florida Parental Rights in Education Act

In 2022, Tulsi Gabbard endorsed the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act, which restricts classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in public schools. She stated the bill "bans government and government schools from indoctrinating woke sexual values in our schools to a captive audience".

2022: Spoke at CPAC and Left Democratic Party

In 2022, Tulsi Gabbard spoke at the conservative CPAC conference and left the Democratic Party.

2022: Became an Independent

In 2022, Tulsi Gabbard switched her political affiliation to become an Independent.

2022: Speaker at CPAC

In 2022, Tulsi Gabbard was a featured speaker at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). She has also been a frequent critic of the Biden administration.

2022: Accusations of promoting Russian disinformation

In 2022, Tulsi Gabbard was accused by several news organizations of accusing the U.S. of running bioweapons laboratories in Ukraine and echoing Russian conspiracy theories regarding U.S.-funded biolabs in Ukraine, which were alleged to be creating deadly bioweapons. These accusations emerged after Trump nominated Gabbard for DNI.

October 7, 2023: Gabbard Condemns Hamas Attack on Israel

On October 7, 2023, Tulsi Gabbard strongly supported Israel and condemned Hamas after their attack on Israel, referring to Hamas as an Islamist terrorist organization.

November 2023: Gabbard Attends March for Israel

In November 2023, Tulsi Gabbard attended the March for Israel at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., showing her support for Israel.

December 2023: Gabbard questions Japan's remilitarization

In December 2023, Tulsi Gabbard questioned the remilitarization of Japan, urging caution that shortsighted leaders may bring the world face-to-face with a remilitarized Japan, while remembering Japan's aggression in the Pacific.

2023: Continued to Guest Host Until Cancellation

In 2023, Tulsi Gabbard continued to be a frequent guest host of Tucker Carlson Tonight until its cancellation.

February 22, 2024: Featured Speaker at CPAC

On February 22, 2024, Tulsi Gabbard was a featured speaker at CPAC, raising speculation of her candidacy as a potential vice-presidential selection.

March 2024: Potential Vice Presidential Choice

In March 2024, Donald Trump cited Tulsi Gabbard as one of his potential choices for his running mate.

June 20, 2024: Second Amendment Institute awards Champion's Award to Tulsi Gabbard

On June 20, 2024, the Second Amendment Institute awarded the Champion's Award to Tulsi Gabbard at the Institute’s Annual Champion Ceremony in Washington, DC.

August 26, 2024: Endorsement of Trump's Re-Election Bid

On August 26, 2024, Tulsi Gabbard endorsed Donald Trump's re-election bid during a National Guard Association gathering in Michigan.

August 30, 2024: Milbank Accuses Gabbard of Endorsing Russian Propaganda

On August 30, 2024, Dana Milbank accused Tulsi Gabbard of endorsing Russian propaganda in a Washington Post op-ed, falsely claiming that the United States was funding biological laboratories in Ukraine that could spread dangerous pathogens.

October 22, 2024: Joining the Republican Party

On October 22, 2024, Tulsi Gabbard announced that she was joining the Republican Party while speaking at a Trump rally in Greensboro, North Carolina.

November 13, 2024: Nominated as Director of National Intelligence

On November 13, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump nominated Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence (DNI).

November 2024: BBC reports Gabbard called for evidence

In November 2024 the BBC reported that Tulsi Gabbard had called for evidence to be presented to Congress regarding the Assad regime being behind gas attacks.

2024: Endorsed Donald Trump and joined Republican Party

In 2024, Tulsi Gabbard endorsed Donald Trump for the presidential election and joined the Republican Party.

2024: Joined the Republican Party

In 2024, Tulsi Gabbard joined the Republican Party.

2024: Gabbard discusses IVF attempts

In 2024, Tulsi Gabbard mentioned on Meghan McCain's podcast that she and Abraham Williams had tried to start a family and had undergone several in-vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures, without success.

2024: Trump transition team claims Gabbard has no affiliation with SIF

In 2024, the Trump transition team stated that Tulsi Gabbard has "no affiliation" with the Science of Identity Foundation (SIF).

January 27, 2025: Support from Former Officials

On January 27, 2025, former intelligence and national security officials voiced their support for Tulsi Gabbard's nomination, emphasizing her potential to depoliticize intelligence agencies. Libertarian-leaning GOP senators supported her anti-interventionist stance, and Victoria Coates highlighted the need for new leadership in light of global events. Bernard Hudson praised her integrity and experience.

January 30, 2025: Gabbard Testifies Before Senate Committee

On January 30, 2025, Tulsi Gabbard testified before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, pledging to separate her political views from her official duties. She refuted accusations of divided loyalties, asserting her allegiance to God, her conscience, and the Constitution.

February 4, 2025: Senate Committee Advances Gabbard's Nomination

On February 4, 2025, the Senate Intelligence Committee advanced Tulsi Gabbard's nomination in a 9–8 party-line vote.

February 10, 2025: Murkowski Supports Gabbard's Nomination

On February 10, 2025, Senator Lisa Murkowski announced her support for Tulsi Gabbard's nomination, acknowledging concerns about her past positions but appreciating her commitment to oversight and civil liberties.

February 12, 2025: Gabbard Sworn in as Director of National Intelligence

On February 12, 2025, Tulsi Gabbard was sworn in as the 8th Director of National Intelligence, becoming the first female military combat veteran, Pacific Islander American, and Hindu American to hold the position. She pledged to focus on the safety and security of the American people and echoed claims of politicization within the intelligence community.

February 2025: Confirmed as DNI

In February 2025, Tulsi Gabbard was confirmed by the Senate as Director of National Intelligence, becoming the highest-ranking Pacific Islander American government official in U.S. history.

March 2025: Gabbard's Testimony Before Congress on Iran's Nuclear Program

In March 2025, Tulsi Gabbard testified before Congress stating that the US intelligence community "continues to assess Iran is not building a nuclear weapon", while also raising concerns about Iran's enriched uranium stockpile.

March 2025: Gabbard's International Trips as DNI

In March 2025, Tulsi Gabbard undertook her second international trip as DNI, focusing on the Indo-Pacific region, with visits to Japan, Thailand, and India. Before traveling to Asia, Gabbard stopped in Hawaii, which hosts the U.S. military’s Indo-Pacific Command headquarters. During her visit to India, Gabbard attended the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, outlining the Trump administration's strategy for global peace and security.

March 2025: Gabbard Involved in Signal Leak Controversy

In March 2025, Tulsi Gabbard was involved in controversy when plans for US attacks in Yemen, discussed in a Signal group chat including other senior administration members, were leaked to journalist Jeffrey Goldberg. Gabbard admitted sharing information with Goldberg was a "mistake" but claimed none of it was classified. Following the Signal leak, Der Spiegel used other leaked data to find personal online accounts of US security officials, including Gabbard, but her office asserted she hadn't used those accounts in years.

May 2025: Gabbard Announces Reorientation of U.S. Intelligence

In May 2025, Tulsi Gabbard announced the reorientation of U.S. intelligence towards border security, counterterrorism, and counternarcotics, aligning with the Trump administration's national security priorities. Speaking at the GEOINT 2025 Symposium, Gabbard emphasized domestic border surveillance and mentioned consolidation of intelligence operations by moving the National Intelligence Council to the DNI office and taking more control of the President’s "Daily Brief". She also fired two officials at the NIC due to their opposition to Trump's views on Venezuelan gang members.

June 2025: Gabbard Clarifies Position on Iran's Nuclear Weapons

In June 2025, Tulsi Gabbard clarified her position on Iran's nuclear weapons, stating that she agreed with President Trump that Iran could build a nuclear weapon in weeks, and blamed the media for taking her March testimony "out of context".

June 2025: Gabbard Supports Trump Administration Claim on Damage to Iran's Nuclear Sites

In June 2025, Tulsi Gabbard supported the Trump administration’s claim of significant damage to Iran's nuclear sites in US strikes and countered media reports of limited damage, stating that new intelligence confirmed the destruction of Iran's nuclear facilities.