Tulsi Gabbard has been confirmed as the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), making her the chief intelligence officer of the United States. In this cabinet-level position, she will oversee 18 intelligence agencies, including the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the National Security Agency (NSA), an organization so secretive that it was once dubbed “No Such Agency.” As DNI, she will also serve as the principal intelligence advisor to the US president and the National Security Council. Additionally, her office will be responsible for producing the President’s Daily Brief (PDB), a classified document that compiles the latest intelligence from across the globe, typically read by the president first thing in the morning.
Gabbard’s appointment is historic, as she becomes the first Hindu to serve as the Director of National Intelligence. Her path to Hinduism is unique among American politicians. Raised in a multifaith household, she was exposed to both Catholicism and Hinduism from an early age. As a teenager, she felt a deep connection to Hindu philosophy, particularly the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. Inspired by its message of selfless duty (karma yoga) and devotion (bhakti yoga), she consciously decided to embrace Hinduism fully. Unlike others, Gabbard has made her Hindu identity a public and political strength. She has often spoken about her faith, taken her oath of office on the Bhagavad Gita, and championed religious freedom and pluralism. She follows the Vaishnava tradition, which emphasizes devotion to Krishna, and has integrated Hindu values into her worldview, particularly in areas of public service and leadership.
The inclusion of prominent Hindu figures within the MAGA movement has highlighted a complex interplay between political alignment and cultural identity. While individuals like Usha Vance and Vivek Ramaswamy align with MAGA’s core principles, their Hindu faith and Indian heritage have elicited mixed reactions within the movement. Usha Vance, wife of Vice President J.D. Vance, represents the American immigrant success story. A Yale-educated attorney, she has maintained her Hindu faith, a facet of her identity that has drawn both admiration and criticism. During her husband’s inauguration, her choice to wear a sari was widely seen as a nod to multiculturalism. However, certain segments of the MAGA base expressed discomfort, with some online commentators making derogatory remarks about her faith and cultural background. These reactions underscore a tension within the movement, where the celebration of American exceptionalism sometimes clashes with nativist sentiments.
While Gabbard has not placed her faith at the center of her political career, she has not shied away from it either. She regularly releases videos appreciating significant Hindu holidays. In interviews and a speech before the United Nations, she has spoken about how the Bhagavad Gita has shaped her values and decisions. She has maintained a long-standing friendship with ISKCON, visiting temples in locations such as Honolulu and New Delhi, and speaking at the 2019 LA Ratha Yatra during her 2020 Democratic presidential campaign. In 2016, she was also the keynote speaker at ISKCON’s 50th Anniversary Gala Event in Washington, D.C., which commemorated Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in the United States and the founding of ISKCON in 1965.
Gabbard’s political career has not been without controversy. Like many of President Donald Trump’s nominations, her appointment has sparked debate. Observers note that her independent stance on various issues, coupled with her past interactions with figures across the political spectrum, has led to both praise and criticism. Some within the Vaishnava community have chosen to focus not on political discord but on the potential positive impact she may bring to the world. ISKCON’s Global Minister of Communications, Anuttama Dasa, has expressed hope that Gabbard’s background in government service, along with her foundation in Vaishnava values—including selfless service, determination, care for others, equal vision, tolerance, humility, and integrity—will serve her well in her new role.