Tulsi Gabbard Eyes Defense Secretary Role in Trump’s Cabinet

Former Democratic Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is reportedly seeking to become the next U.S. Secretary of Defense in President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet, sources familiar with the situation told The Post.

The 43-year-old Gabbard, who recently switched her party affiliation to the Republican Party and endorsed Trump in his re-election campaign, has reportedly set her sights on the Pentagon post, which is at the top of her list of desired cabinet positions. However, it remains to be seen if Trump will ultimately select her for the role.

Gabbard, 43, became an honorary member of Trump’s transition team after endorsing the former president during his re-election campaign and switching to the Republican Party. REUTERS

A GOP insider revealed that Gabbard plans to “privately petition Trump” early this week regarding her interest in the position. The former congresswoman, who has served in the National Guard since 2003 and deployed to Iraq, Kuwait, and the Horn of Africa, has also expressed interest in the CIA director position, the source added.

Gabbard, currently serving as an adviser to Trump’s transition team, is believed to be competing for the position against Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie.

Wilkie is leading the transition’s Pentagon team. Still, some sources argue that Gabbard would be a more robust choice for defence secretary, noting that Wilkie’s tenure was marred by allegations of mishandling a sexual assault report while serving as undersecretary of Pentagon personnel and readiness.

Despite being a former Democrat, Gabbard’s potential nomination earned an outpouring of enthusiasm from some of the most conservative members of Trump’s first administration. Stephen Yang

According to GOP sources, other potential candidates for the defence secretary role include Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), who has built a solid reputation in military circles through her work with the Pentagon on defence legislation, and House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Ala.).

Despite her solid military background, Gabbard may face an obstacle to securing the role due to a federal law that mandates a defence secretary must not have served on active duty in the armed forces for at least seven years before taking office. The law ensures that a civilian leads the Department of Defense.

Gabbard’s candidacy for the position highlights her growing prominence within Republican circles. She has been an outspoken critic of her former party and the current administration’s foreign policy.