President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, faces significant scrutiny due to her controversial past and lack of intelligence experience. Critics, including Democratic representatives, have expressed concerns about her views, alleging she has amplified Russian talking points and supported controversial figures like Bashar al-Assad. Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman and current Trump surrogacy supporter, would oversee a $76 billion budget and 18 intelligence agencies if confirmed. The nomination has sparked debate over her qualifications and political realignment from Democrat to Republican.