[guest post by Dana]

President-elect Trump named the former Democrat, Trump-loyalist and conspiracy kook for director of National Intelligence:

If confirmed for the role, Gabbard would oversee all 18 of the nation’s intelligence agencies.

In a statement Wednesday, Trump highlighted Gabbard’s background as a former Democrat, saying, “she has broad support” from both political parties. Her political turn means she’s not likely to gain support from Democrats.

“I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community, championing our Constitutional Rights, and securing Peace through Strength,” he said.” “Tulsi will make us all proud!”

Let me remind you of Gabbard’s, uh, embrace of Syrian leader Bashar Assad after meeting with him and saying that she would meet with anyone necessary to achieve peace:

The former Hawaii congresswoman has taken stances that have been at odds with US foreign policy, including meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad in Syria in 2017, and saying in 2019 that he was “not an enemy of the United States.”

And more currently regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine:

There are 25+ US-funded biolabs in Ukraine which if breached would release & spread deadly pathogens to US/world. We must take action now to prevent disaster. US/Russia/Ukraine/NATO/UN/EU must implement a ceasefire now around these labs until they’re secured & pathogens destroyed pic.twitter.com/dhDTH5smIG

— Tulsi Gabbard 🌺 (@TulsiGabbard) March 13, 2022

This war and suffering could have easily been avoided if Biden Admin/NATO had simply acknowledged Russia’s legitimate security concerns regarding Ukraine’s becoming a member of NATO, which would mean US/NATO forces right on Russia’s border

— Tulsi Gabbard 🌺 (@TulsiGabbard) February 24, 2022

Thus, I am in complete agreement with this House member:

As a former CIA case officer, I saw the men and women of the U.S. intelligence community put their lives on the line every day for this country — and I am appalled at the nomination of Tulsi Gabbard to lead DNI.

Not only is she ill-prepared and unqualified, but she traffics in conspiracy theories and cozies up to dictators like Bashar-al Assad and Vladimir Putin.

As a Member of the House Intelligence Committee, I am deeply concerned about what this nomination portends for our national security.

My Republican colleagues with a backbone should speak out.

Yeah, we’ve already seen previously, that aside from a handful of Republicans (who paid a hefty political price for speaking out), backbones remain in short supply with Congressional Republicans.

Hardest hit if Gabbard confirmed: Ukraine.

Praying for her confirmation: Putin.

—Dana

[guest post by JVW]

I had a text exchange with Dana after President-elect Donald Trump nominated Florida Senator Marco Rubio to be his Secretary of State. Dana wondered why he would choose the handsome, articulate, but young (relatively speaking) Cuban-American Senator for such an august position, and I suggested it was so that Governor Ron DeSantis could appoint Matt Gaetz to the Senate to replace him.

Turns out I had completely missed the bigger picture.

Behold the newest nominee for Attorney General of the United States.

– JVW