By: Renee Nal | RAIR
Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination for Director of National Intelligence poses a grave national security risk, as her deep and unaddressed ties to radical, anti-American organizations demand urgent scrutiny—yet the Senate’s silence signals a dereliction of duty.
The three-hour confirmation hearing for Tulsi Gabbard, President Donald Trump’s nominee for Director of National Intelligence (DNI), fell woefully short. The DNI is not a ceremonial role—it is one of the most sensitive and powerful positions in the U.S. government, acting as the gatekeeper of classified intelligence that the President relies on daily. And yet, despite Gabbard’s extensive and troubling history with anti-American individuals and organizations, she has not been pressed on the affiliations that demand urgent scrutiny.
This author understands the importance of swiftly confirming President Trump’s nominees—his administration must be staffed with individuals who will help him fulfill his campaign promises to the American people. But national security is not a matter of blind trust. If a nominee has hidden intentions or alarming connections, it is the duty of the vetting process to expose them. That has not happened with Tulsi Gabbard. The Senate’s failure to press her on these critical issues is not just a lapse in oversight—it is a dereliction of duty.
Worse, there is a deliberate effort to suppress these concerns. A climate of intimidation on social media has emerged, attempting to silence those who raise valid questions about Gabbard’s loyalties. Patriots must not be bullied into silence. They must demand answers.
Author and speaker Trevor Loudon has tracked Gabbard’s rise since 2012, documenting her affiliations in his 2020 book White House Reds. His research uncovers a long list of concerning ties—connections that have been virtually ignored by both mainstream media and Senate Republicans. These are not baseless smears; they are documented associations with radical, anti-American groups and individuals, from communist sympathizers to foreign operatives working against U.S. interests.
If Democrats were serious about exposing national security risks, they would ask these questions—but they won’t, because many of them share the same troubling associations. If Republicans had the courage to put America First, they would demand answers—but instead, they have chosen silence.
This is unacceptable. Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination for DNI is not just a political maneuver—it is a potential national security risk. Every American has the right to know: Can Tulsi Gabbard be trusted to filter intelligence for the President of the United States?
If she cannot answer these questions, then the answer is clear—she should not be confirmed.
Tulsi Gabbard’s Unanswered Connections That Demand Scrutiny
Author and speaker Trevor Loudon has studied the rise of Tulsi Gabbard since 2012. He wrote a chapter about the DNI nominee in his 2020 book “White House Reds.”
Loudon has compiled a non-exhaustive list of associations that Tulsi Gabbard must address. Until now, these associations have been virtually unreported:
Democratic Socialists of America (supports Cuba and numerous Latin American and European communist parties):
- In 2020, Tulsi Gabbard was a fellow at the DSA-connected Sanders Institute, along with DSA comrades Cornel West and Michael Lighty, and Russia apologist Jeffrey Sachs.
- During her 2020 presidential campaign, Tulsi Gabbard worked closely with DSA groups around the country. For example, on April 16, 2019, she addressed a town hall organized by Muscatine Democratic Socialists of America.
- Tulsi Gabbard addressed the DSA-organized People’s Summit, Chicago, June 17-19, 2016, where she criticized efforts to “overthrow” Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in front of 3,000 comrades from DSA, Communist Party USA, the Workers World Party, and several other Marxist groups.
- April 13, 2012: A coalition of Hawaii women, led by DSA Member and first lady Nancie Caraway, launched Tulsi Gabbard’s campaign in the race for Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District.
Support for Hostile Nations
- North Korea:
- On March 14, 2019, Christine Ahn, a leading pro-North Korea activist who has close ties to reputed North Korean spy boss Pak Chol, posted an image with Tulsi Gabbard as part of a campaign to formally end the Korean war, benefitting North Korea.
- On June 12, 2018, Ahn posted a photo with Tulsi Gabbard in Washington, D.C. On her post, she stated in part that Gabbard’s “position” on North Korea “is among the best”.
- China:
- Reported Chinese spy Christine Fang (or Fang Fang) was a host of an event for Tulsi Gabbard held on September 15, 2013. Christine Fang is largely known for her relationship with former House Intelligence Committee Congress member Eric Swalwell.
- Venezuela:
- In January 2019, Tulsi Gabbard attempted to undermine President Trump’s efforts by condemning U.S. support of Hugo Chavez’s opponent Juan Guaidó, the $20 million aid package for the Venezuelan opposition, and any potential military actions, posting in part “[T]he United States needs to stay out of Venezuela. Let the Venezuelan people determine their future…”
- Iran:
- In January 2020, Tulsi Gabbard referred to the killing of Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani, targeted by a U.S. air strike under President Trump, as “an act of war”.
- In December 2018, Tulsi Gabbard was one of 13 far-left members of Congress who signed a letter supported by the National Iranian American Council (NIAC), Iran’s major lobbying group in America. In the letter to the State Department, Gabbard and her allies demanded an end of U.S. sanctions against Iran. In July 2019, NIAC issued a statement condemning President Trump for abandoning the Iran Nuclear Deal and praising then-presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard and others for committing to return to the Iran Nuclear Deal.
Pro-Russia Connections
- Tulsi Gabbard’s trip with Dennis Kucinich to Syria was coordinated by Bassam and Elie Khawam, officials in the Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP), a group who actively supported the Russian-backed Assad regime in the Syrian civil war. The SSNP is known for its violent history, including assassinations, participation in Lebanese civil wars, and deploying fighters to aid Assad against opposition forces, whom they derogatorily term as “Jews of the interior” and “an essential arm of the racist Jewish enemy.”
- Dennis Kucinich is a decades-long comrade of the Ohio Communist Party, particularly their chair, Rick Nagin. Dennis Kucinich has deep connections to Russian interests, participating in negotiations with Russian officials in 1999, speaking at pro-Russia forums,and associating with figures linked to Russian intelligence. His activities include defending Russian actions in Crimea, supporting breakaway pro-Russia Georgian regions, and echoing Kremlin propaganda on platforms like RT (Russia Today).
- Ohio Communist Party Chair Rick Nagin threw his support behind Tulsi Gabbard’s presidential run. On Facebook, he posted on January 18, 2019, in part that “[H]er election would be an enormous defeat for rightwing extremism and its policies of racism, male supremacy, and war…”
Contemporary Communist Ties / Rage Against the War Machine
- Jackson Hinkle: Tulsi Gabbard has ties with Jackson Hinkle, an outspoken supporter of Russia, Iran, and China, and an Executive Board Member of the newly-formed “American Communist Party”. Hinkle has a large following, boasting 2.8M followers on X. Jackson Hinkle is an ally of “Putin’s Brain” Aleksandr Dugin, who openly wants to destroy the West using his theory of “Multipolarity“. There are several images of Tulsi Gabbard with Jackson Hinkle, including surfing expeditions.
- In Feb 2023, Tulsi Gabbard spoke alongside Jackson Hinkle at the pro-Russia “Rage Against the War Machine” protest against US intervention in Russia’s attack on Ukraine. The protest also called to “slash” the Pentagon budget and “abolish” the CIA.
- On November 9, 2024, Hinkle posted his “strong” endorsement of Tulsi Gabbard for Secretary of State.
- Caleb Maupin: A former Workers World Party member, pro-Russia propagandist, RT host and former journalist with Iran’s Press TV. Maupin leads the pro-Russia, neo-Stalinist Center for Political Innovation (CPI). CPI was a sponsor of the 2023 “Rage Against the War Machine” protest that featured Tulsi Gabbard and Jackson Hinkle, among others.
- On January 30, 2025, Caleb Maupin attended Tulsi Gabbard’s hearing.
- On November 16, 2024, Caleb Maupin said during a livestream: “…Tulsi Gabbard being Director of National Intelligence is much better…for anti-imperialism globally than her not being there… we absolutely need to be Tulsi Gabbard’s biggest supporters…during the confirmation process. We need to be in the streets saying we support her…”
- On February 26, 2023, Caleb Maupin stated (exact clip here) that he does not want Tulsi Gabbard to publicly endorse him or his work because it could harm her due to his controversial associations, such as with Aleksandr Dugin.
- In March 2020, Maupin defended Tulsi Gabbard’s 2020 presidential campaign on RT.
- Scott Ritter: A pro-Russian, pro-Hamas “peace” activist and convicted pedophile, Scott Ritter has fiercely defended Tulsi Gabbard.
- On November 9, 2024, Scott Ritter endorsed Tulsi Gabbard for Secretary of State.
- On December 2, 2023, Scott Ritter addressed Caleb Maupin’s Center for Political Innovation’s national convention, where he loudly supported Hamas to a standing ovation. “I don’t Condemn Hamas, I support Hamas!”
- Scott Ritter pulled out of the Rage Against the War Machine protest held on February 19, 2023, after a debate about his pedophile convictions.
- On October 4, 2020, Scott Ritter said he would be “writing in” Tulsi Gabbard for president.
The existence of these connections is not in question. Democrats would steer clear of asking these questions because in many cases, they would be implicating themselves. Loudon’s research proves that many democrats have connections with many of the same militant-left individuals and organizations discussed here.
One can only speculate as to why Republicans have refrained from asking Tulsi Gabbard about these connections.
Tulsi Gabbard is clearly compromised. Even if she had a radical change of heart in the last year or two, should Tulsi Gabbard be confirmed for Director of National Intelligence? Should Americans trust Tulsi Gabbard to filter information to President Trump on a daily basis?
Note: Most of the sources in this post link to Keywiki.org, where the evidence for all associations is thoroughly documented.
Note: It must be emphasized that the associations highlighted here have been listed because they are vastly unknown. Tulsi Gabbard has been a member of the Council of Foreign Relations, was a World Economic Forum “Young Global Leader,” campaigned with socialist Bernie Sanders, was a vocal critic of President Trump during his first term, created and supported hardcore leftist policies, and more. Please see her Keywiki.org file for receipts.
