FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Republican senators pushed back on Sunday against criticism from Democrats that Tulsi Gabbard, Donald Trump’s pick to lead U.S. intelligence services, is “compromised” by her comments supportive of Russia and secret meetings, as a congresswoman, with Syria’s president, a close ally of the Kremlin and Iran.

President-elect Donald Trump has tapped former Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard to be the next director of national intelligence.

Tulsi Gabbard was a rising star in the Democratic Party before she left in 2022 and endorsed Donald Trump in 2024.

President-elect Donald Trump has named former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard as his pick for director of national intelligence, praising the former Democrat as “now a proud Republican.” “For over two decades, Tulsi has fought for our Country and the Freedoms of all Americans,

In a statement on Wednesday, President-elect Trump announced that he is appointing Tulsi Gabbard to serve as director of national intelligence in his new Cabinet.

President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic member of Congress and presidential candidate, to serve as director of national intelligence, continuing to stock his Cabinet with loyal personalities complimentary to his own,

Gabbard was co-chair of Trump’s transition team and announced she had officially become a member of the Republican party in October.

"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. Tulsi will make us all proud!