Tulsi Gabbard, former Democratic presidential candidate and now an independent politician, officially announced her decision to join the Republican Party at a rally for Donald Trump on Tuesday.
The rally took place in Greensboro, North Carolina, a key swing state in the upcoming election.
Recently, Gabbard joined Trump’s campaign as an honorary co-chair for the former president’s transition team, alongside Robert F. Kennedy Jr., another former Democrat.
Gabbard expressed her admiration for Trump’s leadership in “transforming the Republican Party and bringing it back to the party of the people and the party of peace,” which was part of her reasoning for joining.
“I’m proud to stand here with you today, President Trump, and announce that I am joining the Republican Party. I am joining the party of the people,” Gabbard said. “The party of equality. The party that was founded to fight against and end slavery in this country. It is the party of common sense, and the party led by a president who has the courage and strength to fight for peace.”
Trump responded: “Thank you very much, Tulsi. That’s great. Wow, that was a surprise. She’s been independent for a long time. That’s a great thing, a great honor. Thank you very much, Tulsi.”
Gabbard served as vice chair of the Democratic National Committee from 2013 to 2016 before resigning to officially endorse Senator Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.) for president.
In the 2020 presidential election, Gabbard ran as a Democrat and gained attention for her strong criticisms of Kamala Harris during a primary debate, attacking Harris’ record as a prosecutor and California attorney general.
In that debate, Gabbard called out Harris for prosecuting numerous marijuana-related cases that led to convictions and highlighted Harris’ impact on the cash bail system in California.
Ultimately, Gabbard left the Democratic Party in 2022 and declared herself an independent. Since then, she has started her own podcast and spoken at conservative events.
Gabbard represented Hawaii’s Second Congressional District from 2013 to 2021 as a Democrat. She currently serves in the U.S. Army Reserves with the rank of lieutenant colonel.
