Tulsi Gabbard’s Controversial Nomination for Director of National Intelligence Raises Concerns

Donald Trump’s announcement of Tulsi Gabbard as his nominee for director of national intelligence has sparked intense debate, with critics from both major political parties voicing objections. Gabbard’s connections to a politically active Hindu organization, the Science of Identity Foundation (SIF), and her past political affiliations are under scrutiny.

John Bolton, former national security advisor, called her nomination “one of the nation’s worst,” while Democratic leaders have labeled her a “Russian asset” and a “national security threat.” The Daily Beast ran a report on November 14 titled, “Tulsi Gabbard’s Ties to ‘Cult’ Could Cost Her Intel Job,” which highlighted her lifelong association with SIF. The foundation is a Hawaii-based offshoot of the Krishna Consciousness movement, founded in the U.S. and popularized by Beatle George Harrison.

A Shifting Political Journey

Gabbard’s political career began in 2002 when she was elected to Hawaii’s state house at the age of 21, making her the youngest woman to hold such a position in the U.S. state legislature. In 2013, she made history as the first practicing Hindu elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. She garnered national attention in 2016 by endorsing Bernie Sanders over Hillary Clinton and later ran for president in 2020.

Her political evolution has been striking. Gabbard left the Democratic Party in 2022 to become an independent, later endorsing Donald Trump, aligning with the Republican Party, and actively campaigning for Trump this year.

Connections to the Science of Identity Foundation

Gabbard’s ties to SIF, founded in 1977 by Chris Butler (known as Jagad Guru Siddhaswarupananda Paramahamsa), have been reported extensively over the years, including in 2017, 2019, and again this year by Honolulu’s *Civil Beat*. Gabbard attended an SIF boarding school and met both of her husbands through the organization.

The foundation traces its roots to Butler’s early discipleship under AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in 1966. ISKCON became widely recognized for its public chanting of “Hare Krishna” and fundraising campaigns but also faced allegations of cult-like practices, such as strict obedience and isolation from the outside world. Disagreements between Butler and Prabhupada led Butler to break away and establish SIF, introducing a more politicized form of Hinduism that included relaxed traditions, such as allowing devotees to forgo shaving their heads.

Butler’s influence extended into politics, with the establishment of the Independents for Godly Government, a political party that promoted conservative candidates in Hawaii. Gabbard’s parents were also prominent within SIF, founding groups such as Stop Promoting Homosexuality in 1991 and the Alliance for Traditional Marriage in 1995. The latter supported an anti-same-sex marriage amendment, which passed in Hawaii in 1998. Gabbard, as a teenager, appeared in a campaign ad for the amendment but later cited her military service as a catalyst for her changed views on LGBTQ+ rights.

International Ties and Allegations of Religious Bias

Questions have also been raised about Gabbard’s connections to Hindu nationalist groups in India that support Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Critics allege these groups promote persecution of Muslims and Christians. India’s ambassador to the U.S. attended Gabbard’s second wedding in 2015, and she traveled to India at Modi’s personal invitation. When questioned about these ties, Gabbard has dismissed the criticism as religious prejudice, accusing detractors of “Hinduphobia.”

Controversial Nominees in Trump’s Cabinet

Gabbard is not the only contentious nominee in Trump’s proposed administration. Conservative Christian Family Research Council President Tony Perkins called for “urgent prayer” on November 11, urging that Trump surround himself with “godly counsel” in his cabinet selections. Among Trump’s choices are Vivek Ramaswamy, another Hindu nominee, and three individuals accused of sexual abuse: Matt Gaetz, Pete Hegseth, and Robert Kennedy Jr.

Trump has signaled his intention to bypass Senate scrutiny for his appointments by using recess appointments, avoiding potentially uncomfortable confirmation hearings.

Gabbard’s nomination remains polarizing, with her political journey and ties to a controversial spiritual movement at the forefront of public debate.