Tulsi Gabbard fought back against what she called “smears,” declaring she is nobody’s “puppet” before the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Tulsi Gabbard’s father, Mike Gabbard, also pivoted from anti-gay activism to a career in local politics in Hawaii. He mounted a House bid in 2004 and fielded questions about his extensive ties to Butler and the group’s past attempts to back candidates. Mike Gabbard described himself as a “Catholic” who was “eternally thankful to Chris Butler.”

Tulsi Gabbard, nominated by Trump for Director of National Intelligence, accuses Democrats of religious intolerance against Hindus. Gabbard defends her loyalty to the US Constitution and rebukes claims of being influenced by global leaders like Modi and Putin.