Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic presidential candidate and independent, publicly declared her decision to join the Republican Party at a Trump event on Tuesday.
The demonstration took place in Greensboro, North Carolina, a key swing state in the 2016 election.
Gabbard just joined the Trump campaign as an honorary co-chair of the former president’s transition committee, joining fellow former Democrat Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Gabbard mentioned her support for President Trump’s leadership “to transform the Republican Party and bring it back to the party of the people and the party of peace” as a reason for her choice.
“I’m honored to stand here with you today, President Trump, to announce my decision to join the Republican Party. Gabbard stated, “I am joining the People’s Party.”
“The Party of Equality. The party formed to fight against and abolish slavery in this country. “It is the party of common sense, led by a president with the courage and strength to fight for peace,” Gabbard said.
“Thank you so much, Tulsi. That’s great. “Wow, what a surprise,” Trump said. “That was truly, she had been independent for a long time. That is an excellent idea. A fantastic honor. “Thank you so much, Tulsi.”
Tulsi Gabbard was the Democratic National Committee’s vice chair from 2013 to 2016, before leaving to officially endorse Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT) for president.
Gabbard, a Democrat running for president in 2020, confronted then-candidate Kamala Harris at a primary debate, tearing apart her credentials as a prosecutor and California attorney general.
Gabbard criticized Harris at the time for successfully prosecuting multiple marijuana-related crimes and her impact on California’s cash bail system.
Gabbard eventually quit the Democratic Party in 2022, calling herself independent. Since then, she’s created her own podcast and spoken at conservative events.
Gabbard represented Hawaii’s 2nd District in Congress as a Democrat from 2013 until 2021. She holds the rank of lieutenant colonel in the United States Army Reserve.