The U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence has completed its nomination hearing for former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, who was nominated by President Trump to serve as the Director of National Intelligence (DNI).
For several weeks leading up to the hearing, the Sikh Coalition, in collaboration with other Indian diasporic organizations, has expressed concerns regarding Gabbard’s well-documented connections to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). These groups have questioned whether these ties could influence her approach to addressing Indian transnational repression if she were to assume the role of DNI. Their efforts have included engaging with Senate offices and the staff of the Senate Select Intelligence Committee, suggesting questions for the hearing, and providing relevant context on the issue. Additionally, they have spoken to the media to highlight these concerns.
The Director of National Intelligence plays a crucial role in overseeing and coordinating various U.S. intelligence agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). These agencies, along with other branches of the government, have played a key role in safeguarding U.S.-based Sikhs from Indian transnational repression. The Sikh Coalition emphasized that the questions regarding Gabbard’s connections are not rooted in her Hindu identity. “Indeed, no nominee should be questioned on the basis of their religion,” the organization stated. Instead, the focus is on understanding her political affiliations and how they might shape her stance on the Indian government’s documented efforts to suppress Sikhs in the United States.
Despite the gravity of these concerns, no senators addressed them during the public hearing. Gabbard made only one mention of Prime Minister Modi in her opening statement, where she listed him among various global leaders she insisted she was “not a puppet” of. Following the public hearing, the Senate committee proceeded with a private and classified session with Gabbard. It remains uncertain whether the topic of Indian transnational repression was raised in that discussion. The Sikh Coalition reaffirmed its commitment to continuing outreach efforts with Senate offices regarding Gabbard’s nomination ahead of the confirmation vote.
Beyond Gabbard’s nomination, the Sikh Coalition has been working to ensure issues affecting the Sikh community are part of the broader national dialogue. Alongside civil rights organizations such as the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the group has submitted pertinent questions to senators regarding other executive branch nominees. This initiative aligns with the recent release of the fourth edition of its federal policy roadmap, Combating Bias, Bigotry, and Backlash: Sikh American Policy Priorities, which was published earlier this month.
As always, the Sikh Coalition encourages the community to “practice your faith fearlessly.”