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By David Prior | May 11, 2026 | Featured, News & Analysis, Politics
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard delivered the keynote address at the 2026 Independent Women’s Policy Summit in Washington, D.C. on May 7, drawing on her years of military service, congressional experience, and her current role overseeing the US Intelligence Community.
Gabbard opened her remarks by reflecting on her long relationship with the Independent Women’s Forum, noting the significant growth the organisation has seen over the past five to six years and the growing number of women and girls it has inspired to engage with the challenges facing the country.
The DNI drew on a personal story to illustrate how far she has come as a public figure. A self-described textbook introvert, she recalled the anxiety she experienced before giving her first campaign speech at an elementary school cafeteria in Waipahu, Hawaii, when she was just 21 years old and running for office.
Gabbard said she could not remember what she actually said during that address but emphasised that simply showing up and doing what was required was the lesson that stayed with her.
Across her remarks, Gabbard focused on what she described as the most important quality to look for in any leader, whether elected or appointed. That quality, she argued, is genuine care. A leader who cares about the people they serve, she suggested, is one who will remain grounded in their mission even under significant institutional and political pressure.
Closely linked to that theme was her emphasis on courage. Gabbard told attendees that speaking objective truth, even when it is uncomfortable or inconvenient, must be a defining trait of anyone in a position of authority. In the intelligence space, she framed this as a foundational obligation, arguing that the community’s credibility depends on its willingness to deliver honest assessments regardless of political environment.
Gabbard also expressed gratitude toward President Donald Trump for giving cabinet members the latitude to deliver results and, in her words, lean into that mission of service on behalf of the American people. She framed this as a meaningful shift in how senior officials are empowered to operate.
The speech drew broader lessons from her journey from an introverted young woman on the campaign trail to one of the most senior figures in the US national security apparatus. Gabbard presented servant leadership, courage under pressure, and a commitment to truth as the qualities that have guided her through each stage of public life, and the same qualities she believes the country most urgently needs from its leaders now.
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David Prior is a senior reporter at the Foreign Policy Journal, covering everything from current affairs and global politics to stock market news and analysis.
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