Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who is President-elect Donald Trump's pick for director of national intelligence, expressed her agreement with President Trump's recent statements regarding the situation in Syria. Gabbard, a former congresswoman, emphasized her support for Trump's stance on the fall of the regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria.
Gabbard, known for her military background and multiple deployments, highlighted how her experiences have influenced her perspective on war and the threat of Islamist terrorism. She commended President Trump's leadership and commitment to ending wars, promoting peace through strength, and prioritizing the national security interests and safety of the American people.
During her meetings with GOP senators on Capitol Hill, Gabbard did not address questions about her past meeting with Bashar al-Assad, the former Syrian leader. Despite facing criticism for her pro-Russia and pro-Assad rhetoric, Gabbard stood by her 2019 statement that she did not regret her trip to Syria to meet with Assad.
In 2017, Gabbard expressed skepticism about the Assad regime's alleged use of chemical weapons against Syrians, diverging from President Trump's assertion at the time that there was indisputable evidence of such actions.