Tulsi Gabbard’s Political Journey: From Hindu Guru to Trump’s Spymaster Nominee

HONOLULU, Hawaii — Long before Tulsi Gabbard became a prominent figure in national politics, her life was deeply intertwined with Chris Butler, the founder of the Science of Identity Foundation, an offshoot of the Hare Krishna movement. Known to his followers as Jagad Guru Siddhaswarupananda Paramahamsa, Butler has been described as Gabbard’s spiritual mentor, or “guru-dev.” This relationship has been a constant in Gabbard’s unpredictable political career, which has seen her transition from a Democratic rising star to a MAGA Republican and now a nominee for director of national intelligence under former President Donald Trump.

Gabbard, who identifies as Hindu, grew up in a family deeply devoted to Butler’s teachings. Her father, Mike Gabbard, a Democratic state senator in Hawaii, was a vocal opponent of same-sex marriage and led the Stop Promoting Homosexuality Hawaii movement. The Gabbard family’s association with Butler’s foundation has been a source of controversy, with some former members describing the group as a cult. “To offend him would be offending God,” said Lalita Mann, a former disciple of Butler’s.

Gabbard’s political career began in 2002 when she ran for a seat in the Hawaii state House. Her early campaigns were supported by volunteers from Butler’s foundation, and she quickly rose through the ranks, eventually serving in Congress from 2013 to 2021. During her time in Congress, Gabbard was celebrated as the first Hindu member and was seen as a rising star within the Democratic Party. However, her tenure was marked by a series of controversial decisions, including a 2017 meeting with Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, which drew widespread criticism.

Gabbard’s political evolution has been anything but linear. She resigned from the Democratic National Committee in 2016 to endorse Bernie Sanders in the presidential primary, citing Hillary Clinton‘s hawkish foreign policy as a reason. However, by 2020, Gabbard had shifted her allegiance to Donald Trump, praising him for transforming the GOP into “the party of the people and the party of peace.” In October 2022, she officially joined the Republican Party and was later nominated by Trump to be the next director of national intelligence.

Gabbard’s nomination has raised concerns among both Democrats and Republicans. Her lack of experience in intelligence or national security, coupled with her controversial past, has led to questions about her suitability for the role. “There are some very tough questions that need to be asked,” said Representative Jill Tokuda, Democrat of Hawaii. “Who’s really calling the shots when it comes to what Tulsi Gabbard believes?”

Despite these concerns, Gabbard has garnered support from some quarters. Former CIA Director of Counterterrorism Bernard Hudson has praised her “independent thinking.” However, her past actions, including her pro-Russian views and her meeting with Assad, continue to cast a shadow over her nomination. As the confirmation process unfolds, Gabbard’s political journey—from a follower of a controversial spiritual leader to a potential spymaster—remains one of the most enigmatic in recent American politics.