News Brief
Kuldeep Negi
Oct 23, 2024, 01:15 PM | Updated Oct 25, 2024, 04:24 PM IST
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
Tulsi Gabbard, the first Hindu woman to be elected to the US Congress, on Tuesday (22 October) announced that she is joining the Republican party.
Tulsi's announcement came at a rally organised by former US President and Republican candidate Donald Trump in in Greensboro, North Carolina, a key swing state in the upcoming US Presidential election.
She had recently joined the Trump campaign as an honorary co-chair for the former president's transition team alongside Robert F Kennedy Junior, another former Democrat.
Tulsi, who left the Democrat party in 2022 and declared herself an independent, cited her admiration for Trump's leadership "to transform the Republican Party and bring it back to the party of the people and the party of peace" as one of the reasons for her decision.
"I'm proud to stand here with you today, President Trump, and announce that I'm joining the Republican Party. I am joining the party of the people," said Tulsi.
"The party of equality. The party that was founded to fight against and end slavery in this country. It is the party of common sense and the party that is led by a president who has the courage and strength to fight for peace," she added.
"Thank you very much, Tulsi. That's great. Wow, that was a surprise," said Trump.
"That was really, she's been independent for a long time. That's a great thing. A great honour. Thank you very much, Tulsi," he added.
Kuldeep is Senior Editor (Newsroom) at Swarajya. He tweets at @kaydnegi.