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Tulsi Gabbard has made history by becoming the United States' Director of National Intelligence (DNI), marking an achievement as the first Hindu to ever hold the position. Her confirmation by the Senate was secured with a 52-48 vote.
However, Bernie
Sanders
voted against Gabbard's confirmation as Director of National Intelligence (DNI).
Despite Sanders' opposition, Gabbard has maintained a strong relationship with him, endorsing him twice for president and championing shared values on healthcare, climate change, and ending regime change wars.
The vote highlights a divide, as Gabbard's confirmation passed largely along party lines. Notably, Sanders' rejection of her nomination has raised eyebrows, with critics questioning the sincerity of his political alliances and loyalty.
Gabbard's support for Sanders in both 2016 and 2020, coupled with their shared policy stances, has left many wondering why Sanders distanced himself from the former congresswoman. His refusal to support her for the DNI position is seen by some as a betrayal of a loyal ally, especially since she had long championed his causes.
Less than six years ago, Tulsi Gabbard, a former US Representative from Hawaii, was a rising star in the Democratic Party. Known for her opposition to US military interventions and domestic surveillance, she was a vocal critic of mainstream Democratic policies.
In the wake of her 2019 presidential run, Gabbard faced challenges in gaining traction, eventually dropping out and endorsing Joe Biden. After leaving Congress, she became a regular Fox News commentator, frequently criticizing the Biden administration.
Looking at the history between Sanders and the Democratic National Committee (DNC), particularly during the 2016 Democratic primaries, Gabbard’s decision to resign as vice-chair of the DNC in 2016 was a response to the DNC's biased handling of the primary race in favour of Hillary Clinton, a stance that angered many Sanders supporters.
Gabbard's resignation was not just symbolic; it was a clear protest against the DNC's treatment of Sanders and the perceived manipulation of the primary process.
In the 2016 Democratic primaries, controversy erupted over the DNC's actions. The Clinton campaign entered a joint fundraising agreement with the DNC in 2015, granting her significant influence over the party before she even secured the nomination, leading to accusations of unfair advantages.
Additionally, the DNC scheduled fewer debates, often at times like weekends or holidays, limiting Sanders’ exposure and favouring Clinton. The release of DNC emails by WikiLeaks further fuelled the controversy, revealing efforts to undermine Sanders’ campaign, including strategies to question his religious beliefs in southern states to weaken his appeal
