‘A warrior whose vote cannot be bought’: Over 250 vets sign letter in support of Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence

A letter titled, "American Veterans for Tulsi Gabbard," supporting her was signed by over 250 military veterans, per Fox News. The letter reads, "President Donald Trump’s selection of Tulsi Gabbard reflects a profound recognition of her steadfast dedication to our nation and her unwavering commitment to safeguarding the American people."

"While most Americans know Tulsi as a fearless and principled Congresswoman who stood up to entrenched political systems, we know her as a fellow veteran—one whose worldview was forged through the crucible of serving in combat zones and a lifelong devotion to service," the veterans added.

Gabbard, a career National Guardsman and former congresswoman from Hawaii, has faced criticism from Democrats. However many senators, including Sens. Lindsay Graham (R-SC), Mike Rounds (R-SD), and James Lankford (R-OK), have spoken in support of her. She will be meeting with other GOP senators from the Senate Intelligence Committee later this week as well, per Politico. She will also attempt to reach across the aisle to lawmakers such as Bernie Sanders, who she ran against for presidency on the Democratic ticket in 2020. During the debates that year, she essentially put the nail in the coffin of then-Senator Kamala Harris' presidential abmitions with questions about incarceration rates for marijuana crimes while Harris was the top cop in San Francisco and then California.

Some high-profile figures who signed their name on letter include retired Gen. Michael Flynn, Arizona Rep. Rep. Eli Crane, former acting Secretary of Defense Chris Miller, Florida Rep. Brian Mast, and veteran Naval intel officer Jack Posobiec, who hosts Human Events Daily.

Democrats and some media pundits have attempted to smear Gabbard as Russian asset. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), also a veteran, said, "The U.S. intelligence community has identified her as having troubling relationships with America’s foes, and so my worry is that she couldn’t pass a background check."

Gabbard has top US security clearance and was promoted within the National Guard as recently at 2021. Others have claimed that her 2017 meeting with recently ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad should pose questions, but this has not been of concern to her commanders. Gabbard left her military assignment in Oklahoma to meet with the lawmakers.

Veterans in the less state unequivocally that these allegations are "baseless lies" and that the critics spreading the claims are "unable and unwilling to challenge the substance of her views."

"We are appalled by the baseless attacks questioning Tulsi’s loyalty to our great nation. For over 20 years and across multiple combat deployments, Tulsi has risked her life to defend the safety, security and freedom of the American people. These attacks insult not only her, but every one of us Veterans who have served our country," the veterans added.

Gabbard seeks peace and an end to "forever wars," a sentiment the veterans echoed, stating that Trump's election and nomination of Gabbard send "a clear mandate to enhance national security without engaging in needless wars or infringing on civil liberties."

"We are deeply grateful to President Trump for appointing Tulsi Gabbard to this critical role and proud to stand beside her – a leader whose courage and convictions we know firsthand. A warrior whose vote cannot be bought, and whose integrity cannot be folded. We are honored to call her one of our own," the veterans added.