Tulsi Gabbard’s relationship with Russia and Russian interests represents one of the most complex and controversial aspects of her political career, culminating in her recent confirmation as Director of National Intelligence on February 12, 2025.
Evolution of Russian Alignment
In 2014, Gabbard initially took a hard stance against Russian aggression, advocating for “meaningful American military assistance for Ukrainian forces” and pushing for stronger economic sanctions against Russia following the annexation of Crimea. However, her position underwent a dramatic shift by 2017, when she began expressing views increasingly aligned with Russian interests.
Media Consumption and Influence
Former staffers reveal that Gabbard regularly consumed and shared content from RT (formerly Russia Today), which the U.S. intelligence community identified as “the Kremlin’s principal international propaganda outlet”[1]. Despite being advised about RT’s lack of credibility, she continued circulating its articles, suggesting a deliberate choice to engage with Russian state media.
The 2017 Turning Point
A pivotal memo from May 2017 revealed Gabbard’s transformed perspective:
- She blamed the U.S. and NATO for provoking Russian aggression
- Expressed concern about U.S. “hostility toward Putin”
- Reversed her position on sanctions, claiming “historically, the U.S. has always wanted Russia to be a poor country”
Former U.S. Ambassador to NATO Ivo Daalder characterized these views as “basically the Russian playbook,” noting their dangerous implications for U.S. foreign policy.
Syria Connection
A particularly troubling incident occurred in 2015 during Gabbard’s visit to the Syria-Turkey border. When meeting with young Syrian airstrike victims bearing severe burns, she questioned whether ISIS, rather than Assad or Russia, was responsible for the bombing. This question demonstrated either a profound misunderstanding of military capabilities or deliberate misdirection, as ISIS had no air force capability.
Ukraine Conflict Stance
During Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Gabbard:
- Suggested the invasion was justified due to Ukraine’s potential NATO membership
- Promoted unsubstantiated claims about U.S.-funded biolabs in Ukraine
- Blamed the Biden administration and NATO for provoking the conflict
Russian Media Reception
Russian state media has shown notable enthusiasm for Gabbard:
- RIA Novosti referred to her as a “superwoman”
- Vladimir Solovyov, a prominent Putin supporter, called her “our girl”
- RT publicly declared “We’ve got your back, Tulsi”
Congressional Concerns
Senator Schiff highlighted the troubling nature of Russian media’s embrace of Gabbard, noting that Russian newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda celebrated her DNI nomination by declaring “The CIA and FBI are trembling”. This enthusiasm from Russian state media has raised significant concerns about her ability to lead U.S. intelligence services.
The Assad Meeting
In 2017, Gabbard’s controversial meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a key Russian ally, drew bipartisan criticism. She defended the meeting as an attempt at peace-building, stating, “if we profess to truly care about the Syrian people, about their suffering, then we’ve got to be able to meet with anyone”. However, this meeting was widely seen as legitimizing an accused war criminal and strengthening Russia’s position in the region.
Intelligence Community Concerns
Former national security officials express particular concern about:
- Her consistent alignment with Russian narratives
- Her criticism of U.S. surveillance programs
- Her support for figures like Edward Snowden, who found asylum in Russia
Accusations and Denials
While Hillary Clinton and others have suggested Gabbard might be a “Russian asset,” no concrete evidence has emerged to support these claims. Gabbard has consistently denied these allegations, though her policy positions and public statements often align with Russian interests.
Media Consumption Pattern
Three key aspects of Gabbard’s media consumption raise concerns:
- Regular reading and sharing of RT content
- Continued circulation of Russian state media after being warned about its nature
- Consumption of both left-wing and right-wing blogs that often amplify Russian narratives
Current Implications
As the newly confirmed Director of National Intelligence, Gabbard’s Russian connections present unique challenges:
- Potential impact on intelligence sharing with allies
- Questions about her ability to counter Russian disinformation
- Concerns about her judgment regarding Russian intelligence activities
Pattern of Alignment
Gabbard’s positions have consistently aligned with Russian interests across multiple issues:
- Opposition to U.S. involvement in Syria
- Support for Russian narratives about Ukraine
- Criticism of U.S. sanctions against Russia
- Defense of Russian-aligned figures like Assad and Snowden
Expert Assessment
Doug London and other intelligence experts note that Gabbard’s views appear shaped not by direct Russian recruitment but by her consumption of Russian propaganda and alternative media sources. This pattern suggests a more complex relationship with Russian interests than simple direct influence.
Impact on Intelligence Community
The confirmation of Gabbard as DNI has significant implications:
- Potential strain on relationships with intelligence partners
- Questions about handling of Russia-related intelligence
- Concerns about maintaining objectivity in analysis of Russian activities
Senate Confirmation Context
During her confirmation hearings, Gabbard attempted to distance herself from her previous positions, stating “Putin started the war in Ukraine”. However, this statement contrasts sharply with her earlier comments blaming NATO and the U.S. for provoking the conflict.
Documented Influence
The influence of Russian media on Gabbard’s worldview is evidenced by:
- Her shift from supporting sanctions in 2014 to opposing them by 2017
- The adoption of Russian narratives regarding Ukraine
- Her defense of Russian-aligned leaders and policies
Current Role Implications
As Director of National Intelligence, Gabbard now oversees 18 intelligence agencies with access to America’s most sensitive information. This position requires careful scrutiny of her past statements and current positions regarding Russia, particularly given her history of alignment with Russian narratives and her consumption of Russian state media.
Conclusion
While direct evidence of Russian control or influence remains elusive, Gabbard’s consistent alignment with Russian interests, consumption of Russian state media, and defense of Russian-aligned positions present significant concerns for her role as DNI. Her evolution from critic to apparent supporter of Russian interests, combined with her current position overseeing U.S. intelligence operations, creates a complex challenge for U.S. national security interests.
The pattern of her statements, media consumption, and policy positions suggests a deep alignment with Russian narratives, whether through direct influence or ideological conviction. As she assumes leadership of America’s intelligence community, these connections and alignments will likely continue to generate scrutiny and concern among national security professionals and allies alike.
Citations:
[1] https://abcnews.go.com/US/gabbards-views-russia-shaped-part-kremlin-propaganda-outlet/story?id=116430097
[2] https://apnews.com/article/gabbard-trump-intelligence-director-russia-ukraine-syria-20b7a404704efe88aa56a06ce1894f9a
[3] https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-condemns-tulsi-gabbards-nomination-to-serve-as-director-of-national-intelligence
[4] https://www.lawshelf.com/blogentryview/tulsi-gabbard-sues-hillary-clinton-for-calling-her-a-russian-asset/
[5] https://www.yahoo.com/news/tulsi-gabbard-history-russia-even-154635903.html
[6] https://kyivindependent.com/tulsi-gabbard-offended-by-question-about-pro-russian-sympathies-at-senate-hearing/
[7] https://www.foxnews.com/politics/wasserman-schultz-sparks-backlash-claiming-tulsi-gabbard-russian-asset
[8] https://apnews.com/article/gabbard-trump-putin-intelligence-russia-syria-a798adaf9cd531a5d0c9329f7597f0f6
[9] https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c14l6jpykmjo
[10] https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/18/us/politics/tulsi-gabbard-trump-russia.html
[11] https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/tulsi-gabbard-russian-connection-dni-trump-syria-b2692244.html
[12] https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-presidency-tulsi-gabbard-confirmation-musk-news-b2696992.html?page=9
[13] https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/national-intelligence-nominee-gabbard-faces-tough-questions-over-russia-syria-and-snowden
[14] https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/tulsi-gabbard-biden-responsible-russian-invasion-1235251787/
[15] https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/12/10/tulsi-gabbard-dni-russia-syria-views-assad-meeting/?tpcc=recirc_latest062921
[16] https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/01/29/gabbard-trump-intelligence-director-russia-ukraine-syria/d38faf58-de6f-11ef-8889-d5c3924edafd_story.html
[17] https://www.reddit.com/r/OutOfTheLoop/comments/1gqyid2/whats_up_with_tulsi_gabbard_being_connected_with/
[18] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTBnWAsJRMs
[19] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEm1KizmHMw
[20] https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/tulsi-gabbard-russian-connection-dni-trump-syria-b2692244.html
[21] https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/02/12/tulsi-gabbard-senate-confirmation/
[22] https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/trumps-pick-top-intel-job-accused-traitorous-parroting-russian-propaga-rcna180073
[23] https://apnews.com/article/gabbard-trump-putin-intelligence-russia-syria-a798adaf9cd531a5d0c9329f7597f0f6
[24] https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/18/us/politics/tulsi-gabbard-trump-russia.html
[25] https://www.facebook.com/USSenateDemocrats/videos/watch-tulsi-gabbard-immediately-sided-with-putin-as-russia-invaded-ukraine/2342913619401185/
[26] https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-intel-nominee-gabbard-faces-senators-rough-confirmation-path-2025-01-30/
[27] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Q8k6YQc4ZM
[28] https://apnews.com/article/gabbard-trump-intelligence-director-russia-ukraine-syria-20b7a404704efe88aa56a06ce1894f9a
[29] https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/18/politics/hillary-clinton-tulsi-gabbard/index.html
[30] https://www.schiff.senate.gov/news/press-releases/watch-sen-schiff-warns-of-tulsi-gabbards-ties-to-dictators-her-complete-unfitness-for-the-role-of-director-of-national-intelligence/
[31] https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/11/14/tulsi-gabbard-russia-director-national-intelligence-trump/
[32] https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/tulsi-gabbard-russian-connection-dni-trump-syria-b2688466.html
[33] https://apnews.com/article/trump-tulsi-gabbard-intelligence-director-russia-putin-0f661dd39bd16e248b16c049e6aa26c5
[34] https://www.yahoo.com/news/tulsi-gabbard-history-russia-even-154635903.html
[35] https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/tulsi-gabbards-views-russia-syria-trump-government-surveillance-118230149
[36] https://abcnews.go.com/US/gabbards-views-russia-shaped-part-kremlin-propaganda-outlet/story?id=116430097
[37] https://www.newsweek.com/what-tulsi-gabbard-has-said-about-russia-ukraine-china-1985839
[38] https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c14l6jpykmjo
