Former Democratic Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard has endorsed Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, highlighting her departure from the Democratic Party and her alignment with Trump’s foreign policy critiques.
The announcement was made at a National Guard Association event in Detroit, where Gabbard praised Mr. Trump’s approach to international relations, emphasizing his commitment to peace over war.
The endorsement came on a day marked by remembrance, as both Mr. Trump and Ms. Gabbard attended a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, honoring service members lost in the Afghanistan withdrawal. The setting provided the backdrop for Gabbard’s endorsement, focusing on Trump’s stance against military engagements as a first resort.
What did Tulsi Gabbard say?
Tulsi Gabbard, who once ran against Kamala Harris in the Democratic primaries, spoke of Donald Trump’s understanding of the “grave responsibility” a president holds over the lives of military personnel.
She criticized the current administration for leading the US towards multiple conflicts, suggesting Trump’s approach would be to “walk us back from the brink of war.”
Political Implications
The endorsement signifies a significant shift for Ms. Gabbard, who left the Democratic Party in 2022, citing its drift towards what she described as an “elitist cabal of warmongers.”
Her support for the former President, especially in the context of the upcoming debate with Kamala Harris, underscores a strategic move by Trump’s campaign to leverage Gabbard’s military background and her past confrontations with Harris on foreign policy.
Trump’s campaign has been actively preparing for the debate with Harris, with Gabbard’s involvement not only as an endorser but also as a debate coach, drawing on her memorable performance against Harris in 2019.