Former 2024 Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley voiced concerns on Wednesday about confirming Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services. Speaking on SiriusXM’s “Nikki Haley Live,” Haley criticized Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman and 2020 presidential candidate who recently declared her Republican affiliation and endorsed Trump. Haley cited what she described as Gabbard’s controversial positions on foreign policy as a key reason for her reservations.
“She opposed ending the Iran nuclear deal. She opposed sanctions on Iran. She opposed designating the Iran military as terrorists who say ‘Death to America’ every single day,” Haley said. “She said that Donald Trump turned the U.S. into Saudi Arabia’s prostitute. This is going to be the future head of our national intelligence.” Haley specifically criticized Gabbard’s 2017 trip to Syria, during which Gabbard met with President Bashar al-Assad, who has been accused of atrocities, including chemical attacks on his own people. “She said she was skeptical that he was behind the chemical weapons attack. And this, to me, is disgusting,” Haley added.
Haley also criticized Gabbard’s support for pardoning WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, both accused of leaking classified U.S. intelligence that just happened to show that the U.S. government was allegedly spying on American citizens without legal authority to do so. “That put Americans in danger,” Haley claimed. “She has defended Russia, Iran, and China. She hasn’t denounced any of it.”
Haley shifted her focus to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., questioning his qualifications to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. “He’s a liberal Democrat, environmental attorney trial lawyer who will now be overseeing 25 percent of our federal budget and has no background in healthcare,” Haley said, as reported by Politico. “So some of you may think RFK is cool, some of you may like that he questions what’s in our food and what’s in our vaccines, but we don’t know, when he is given reins to an agency, what decisions he’s going to make behind the scenes.”
Notably, Kennedy left the Democratic Party after leaders essentially worked to prevent him from having a fair shot at securing the party’s presidential nomination after Joe Biden essentially anointed her his successor after he decided to end his reelection bid over the summer.
President-elect Donald Trump announced that Tulsi Gabbard will serve as the Director of National Intelligence in his upcoming administration. He also revealed his intention to nominate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services. Earlier this month, Trump confirmed that Nikki Haley, his former ambassador to the United Nations, would not be part of his second administration, leaving many political observers to conclude that the former South Carolina governor’s comments are all about being angry about Trump rejecting her.
Several social media users took their wrath out on Haley following her comments:
Sour grapes much, you swamp bitch?
STFU
— USA Features Media (@UsaFeatures) November 21, 2024
I’m so glad Trump didn’t allow you into his administration, you filthy neocon war hawk.
— Michael Oxford – AKA The Santa Cruz Mountain Goat (@SCMountainGoat) November 21, 2024
Nikki.
We the people voted for Trump and who he wants on his cabinet.
AND WE LOVE @TulsiGabbard
MAGA + MAHA— Kristi Moore (@oklahomakristi) November 21, 2024
I trust Tulsi Gabbard a hundred X more than I would ever trust you!!!!
— Willy St3hl3 ???? (@Remmy0726) November 21, 2024
Don’t you even THINK about running on the Republican ticket in 2028. What have you done to contribute to Trump’s campaign? You’re an MSNBC puppet.
— End The TDS Lunacy ?? (@DerangedLibs2) November 21, 2024
Your opinion means nothing to and means nothing to millions of others. Just another Liz Cheney 2.0. Couldn’t pay me enough money to listen. Irrelevant!!!!
— Willy St3hl3 ???? (@Remmy0726) November 21, 2024
