Former U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard's prominent role as a surrogate for Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential campaign continues to be a focal point of political discussion, particularly in light of her recent political shifts. A recent tweet highlighted this enduring relevance, stating, "> Tulsi Gabbard is another reason we can’t just “forget about 2016.” Former Bernie surrogate and Sanders Institute fellow." This sentiment underscores how her past affiliations remain pertinent to understanding her evolving political trajectory.
In a significant move in February 2016, Gabbard resigned from her post as Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) to publicly endorse Senator Sanders for president. She cited her strong belief in ending "interventionist, regime change policies" as a core reason, contrasting Sanders' judgment with Hillary Clinton's foreign policy record. Gabbard became a highly visible and effective advocate for Sanders, appearing on national television programs like "Meet the Press" and delivering a nominating speech for him at the Democratic National Convention.
Beyond her direct campaign involvement, Gabbard was also a fellow at the Sanders Institute, an independent non-profit organization founded by Jane O'Meara Sanders, Senator Sanders' wife, dedicated to progressive social, economic, and environmental justice. Following the 2016 general election, Gabbard's political path began to diverge, notably when she met with then-President-elect Donald Trump in November 2016. This meeting, coming from a sitting Democratic congresswoman and former Sanders surrogate, immediately sparked widespread speculation about her future political alignments.
Gabbard's political evolution intensified in recent years. In October 2022, she formally announced her departure from the Democratic Party, accusing it of being an "elitist cabal of warmongers driven by cowardly wokeness." Since then, she has actively campaigned for Republican candidates and emerged as a prominent voice aligned with conservative figures. Most recently, in November 2024, Donald Trump selected Gabbard as his nominee for Director of National Intelligence, a decision that sent "shockwaves through US national security circles" and highlighted her dramatic political transformation.
Her journey from a progressive Democratic surrogate to a top intelligence post nominee in a Republican administration illustrates the complex and often unpredictable nature of political careers. The tweet's assertion that her 2016 role cannot be "forgotten" reflects an ongoing public and political debate about consistency and ideological shifts. Even Senator Bernie Sanders himself defended Gabbard in 2019 against accusations of being a "Russian asset," underscoring the layered history that continues to inform perceptions of her political identity.