Trump names Tulsi Gabbard as pick for head of National Intelligence

State of play: An Iraq War veteran and lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, Gabbard is an outspoken non-interventionist.

• She has broken with the Washington foreign policy consensus on numerous issues from Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which she blamed in part on NATO expansion, and the Syrian civil war.
• Gabbard controversially met with Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in 2019 and declared that he was "not an enemy" of the U.S.
• She is an unusually high-profile pick for a bureaucratic job coordinating between U.S. intelligence agencies.

Between the lines: Trump repeatedly clashed with his own intelligence agencies during his first term, and has vowed to "clean out" those agencies upon his return to office.

What he's saying: "As a former Candidate for the Democrat Presidential Nomination, she has broad support in both Parties - She is now a proud Republican!" Trump said in his announcement.

• "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," he added.

Flashback: Gabbard left the Democratic Party in 2022 following her unsuccessful 2020 presidential bid.

• Gabbard has many backers in pro-Trump media, such as Tucker Carlson, who frequently interviewed her on his Fox News show.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with Trump's statement and details of Gabbard's political background.