November 12, 2024
Former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii is reportedly positioning herself to become Secretary of Defense in President-elect Donald Trump’s upcoming administration, according to sources familiar with the matter. Gabbard, who endorsed Trump in his re-election bid and recently switched to the Republican Party, is expected to privately petition Trump for the role this week, insiders told The Post.
Gabbard, 43, a former National Guard member with deployments to Iraq, Kuwait, and the Horn of Africa, has been advising Trump’s transition team. While her top preference is to lead the Department of Defense, sources note she may also be open to serving as CIA Director if the Pentagon role proves unattainable.
Gabbard faces stiff competition from other contenders, including former Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie, who currently leads Trump’s Pentagon transition team. Wilkie’s previous tenure was marked by controversies, including allegations he mishandled a sexual assault report, a fact that some argue could make Gabbard a more attractive choice. GOP sources have also named Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) as potential candidates.
Due to her recent service, Gabbard would require a Congressional waiver to bypass a statutory requirement that defense secretaries have at least seven years of separation from active military service. This waiver was previously granted to Trump’s first defense secretary, James Mattis, as well as current Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
Gabbard’s foreign policy stance—advocating for reduced U.S. military involvement overseas—has garnered support from some of Trump’s conservative allies, who are optimistic about her leadership potential in a cabinet post. John McEntee, former head of Trump’s Presidential Personnel Office, praised Gabbard’s approach, saying, “It would be cool to have someone less hawkish in the cabinet.”
Gabbard’s potential nomination has already sparked enthusiasm among conservative circles, despite her Democratic background, due to her focus on avoiding new conflicts and scaling back military engagements. Trump is expected to make a final decision in the coming weeks, weighing Gabbard’s experience against other candidates in his goal to fill key roles in his new administration.
Sources: The Post, Reuters
