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YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said Wednesday he’s selected former Democratic congresswoman-turned Trump supporter Tulsi Gabbard as his pick to be director of national intelligence, CNN reports.
Gabbard, an Army National Guard veteran, unsuccessfully ran for president in 2020 as a Democrat but said she was leaving the Democratic Party in 2022. She campaigned with Trump and served on his transition team.
According to CNN, the institutional impact of the director of national intelligence — nominally the top post overseeing the 18 agencies that make up the Intelligence Community but which has existed only since 2005 — has varied between administrations. Intelligence officials say that the CIA — with its vast collection and analysis capabilities — remains the heavyweight inside the IC. Trump has tapped a former director of national intelligence, John Ratcliffe, to run the CIA.
Trump praised Gabbard in a statement announcing her selection, saying: “I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community, championing our Constitutional Rights, and securing Peace through Strength.”