Famous pastor Franklin Graham endorsed Tulsi Gabbard as the Director of National Intelligence (DNI). Gabbard is controversial in Christian circles because of her previous party allegiance and ties to Hindu organizations. As a Democrat, she represented Hawaii in Congress and was the first Hindu in Congress. Gabbard passed the intelligence committee vote and will soon face a Senate confirmation hearing.
“Tomorrow, the Senate Intelligence Committee is scheduled to vote on Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination as the Director of National Intelligence,” the pastor posted to his X account. “I’ve known Tulsi for many years and have a deep respect for her. I attended her confirmation hearing last week. I’ve always found her to be honest, incredibly smart, and a tough soldier.”
“Tulsi understands the world in which we live. She’s a great American who loves this country and will put America first. The confirmation process has been challenging because of her more conservative views in recent years. Would you join me in praying that God will strengthen her, guide her, and give her favor?” he said to conclude his endorsement.
Some Christians have worried about her ties to the Hindu nationalist movement and the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This faction has persecuted Christians in India. The Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations (FIACONA) released a statement calling for her nomination to be withdrawn. “Since 2023, India has assassinated a Canadian citizen… and attempted to assassinate a US citizen on US soil…this transnational repression is an obscene violation of US sovereignty. Any US politician who fails to denounce it is against putting America first. Tulsi Gabbard refuses to speak out against it,” the organization said.
“Tulsi Gabbard, as a toady of Modi whose political career was launched by his sympathizers in the US, cannot be trusted as the Director of National Intelligence. Therefore, we … demand that her appointment be blocked for the sake of national security,” they said.”Since the beginning of her political career in US Congress in [2013], Gabbard was dependent on support from and association with American affiliates of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS),” the organization added.
“The RSS is a Hindu nationalist paramilitary in India which seeks the extermination of Indian Christians and Muslims in order to establish a Hindu nation,” they stated. “These ties, disturbing enough in themselves, ought to be totally discredited when it comes to a person charged with overseeing the CIA and FBI. These agencies are tasked with protecting Americans from foreign threats, and the Modi regime, to put it lightly, is a major threat to Americans.”
However, Gabbard has defended herself. She pushed back on “lies and smears that challenge my loyalty to and love for our country.” She added, “Those who oppose my nomination imply that I am loyal to something or someone other than God, my own conscience, and the Constitution of the United States, accusing me of being Trump’s puppet, Putin’s puppet, Assad’s puppet, a guru’s puppet, Modi’s puppet, not recognizing the absurdity of simultaneously being the puppet of five different puppet masters.”
Watch Tulsi Gabbard’s opening remarks at the hearing here:
“They used the same tactic against President Trump and failed. The American people elected President Trump with a decisive victory and mandate for change,” said Gabbard. Trump’s DNI nominee has gathered support from several Republicans. “After extensive consideration of her nomination, I will support Tulsi Gabbard as the Director of National Intelligence,” said Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine.
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