GOP leader and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley on Wednesday opposed the appointment of Tulsi Gabbard as the Director of National Intelligence by US President-elect Donald Trump and accused her of being sympathetic to countries Russia, Syria, Iran and China.
During a podcast, Haley came down heavily on Gabbard for her remarks blaming NATO for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“What are the facts about Tulsi Gabbard? She opposed ending the Iran nuclear deal. She opposed sanctions on Iran, she opposed designating the Iran military as terrorists who say death to America every single day. This is going to be the future head of our national intelligence in Congress. Tulsi criticised Trump’s authoritarian strike against Qasem Soleimani. Now I will remind you, he was considered the master of death in Iran.”
“She called for Trump to end the destructive war, the trade war with China. So now, she has defended Russia, she has defended Syria, she has defended Iran and she has defended China. Now, she has not denounced any of these views, none of them. She hasn’t taken one of them back. DNI is not a place for Russian, Iranian, Syrian, or Chinese sympathiser. DNI has to analyse real threats. Are we comfortable with someone like that at the top of our national intelligence agencies,” Haley added.
Haley also alleged that Gabbard attempted to reduce the yearly defence budget to prevent US from Iran and hinder their influence.
“She (Gabbard) tried to limit Trump’s war powers against Iran. She tried to cut our annual defence budget so that we could not punish Iran and hinder their influence. Reminder, Iran is our number one sponsor of terrorism and Tulsi Gabbard was defending Iran. She went to Syria in 2017 for a photo-op with Bashar al-Assad while he was massacring his own people. She said she was skeptical that he was behind the chemical weapons attacks. Now, this to me is disgusting,” Haley said.
“She pushed for dropping charges against Wikileaks founder Julian Assange and pardoning National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden, both of whom were accused of leaking highly sensitive US secrets,” she added.
Haley’s remarks came days after Trump appointed Lieutenant Colonel Tulsi Gabbard as the DNI and praised her commitment to fighting for the country and the freedoms of all Americans over the past two decades
“I am pleased to announce that former Congresswoman, Lieutenant Colonel Tulsi Gabbard, will serve as Director of National Intelligence (DNI). For over two decades, Tulsi has fought for our Country and the Freedoms of all Americans,” he said.
“As a former candidate for the Democrat presidential nomination, she has broad support in both parties. She is now a proud Republican! I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community, championing our Constitutional Rights, and securing Peace through Strength. Tulsi will make us all proud!” said Trump.
Earlier, Trump also made a public announcement that neither Nikki Haley nor Mike Pompeo would be part of his administration on his social media platform, Truth Social
Haley responded to Trump’s statement on X, saying, “I was proud to work with President Trump defending America at the United Nations. I wish him, and all who serve, great success in moving us forward to a stronger, safer America over the next four years.”
Haley ran against Trump in the Republican primary but ultimately endorsed him at the Republican National Convention. During her speech, she addressed those hesitant about Trump, saying, “I know there are people out there who don’t agree with Donald Trump 100%. I happen to know some of them. My message is simple: You don’t have to agree with Donald Trump 100% of the time to vote for him.”