Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman and current Republican, is reportedly interested in the position of Secretary of Defense in a potential second Trump administration.
She is currently advising the transition team, which is led by Robert Wilkie, a former Veterans Affairs Secretary.
Gabbard’s candidacy faces competition from Wilkie, who is seen as less favorable due to his controversial tenure in the Trump administration, particularly regarding mishandling sexual assault reports at the Pentagon.
Other candidates being considered for the role include Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), known for her work on defense legislation, and House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers R-Ala..
Gabbard’s background includes serving in the National Guard since 2003, with deployments to Iraq, Kuwait, and the Horn of Africa.
However, federal law requires that a defense secretary not have been on active duty in the military for at least seven years prior to taking office, which could pose a challenge for Gabbard, given her recent military service.
If nominated, Congress would need to grant a waiver for Gabbard to bypass this restriction, as was done for previous defense secretaries, including James Mattis and Lloyd Austin.
Despite her former Democratic affiliation, Gabbard has gained support among conservatives, especially for her stance on foreign policy, advocating for avoiding new wars and ending ongoing conflicts.
Her potential nomination has garnered enthusiasm from figures like John McEntee, a former Trump administration official, who praised her for being less hawkish.