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April 2, 2024 • 1hr 56min
#423 – Tulsi Gabbard: War, Politics, and the Military Industrial Complex
Lex Fridman Podcast
Tulsi Gabbard is a former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii who ran for president in 2020. She served in the U.S. military for many years, achieving the rank of lieutenant colonel. Gabbard has been both praised and heavily criticized for her independent thinking and bold political stances, especially on topics of war and the military-industrial complex. She recently left the Democratic Party and is now an independent. In this wide-ranging conversation, Gabbard discusses her experiences in Iraq, her views on U.S. foreign policy, her criticisms of the Democratic Party, and the role of faith in her life.
#423 – Tulsi Gabbard: War, Politics, and the Military Industrial Complex
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Key Takeaways
- Cost of war: Tulsi Gabbard's experience in Iraq opened her eyes to the human and financial costs of war, including casualties, trauma to soldiers, and massive profits for defense contractors.
- Military-industrial complex: Gabbard argues this complex wields enormous power in Washington through political connections, lobbying, and a revolving door between government and defense companies.
- Foreign policy criticism: Gabbard is critical of U.S. interventionist foreign policy and "regime change wars", arguing they often undermine national security rather than enhance it.
- Media and political attacks: Gabbard describes facing attacks and smears for challenging the foreign policy establishment, being labeled as a "Putin puppet" for opposing U.S. involvement in Ukraine.
- TikTok ban concerns: Gabbard sees the proposed TikTok ban legislation as a dangerous government power grab that threatens free speech beyond just TikTok.
- Leaving the Democratic Party: Gabbard left the Democratic Party, arguing it has become opposed to fundamental American freedoms and principles.
- Faith and purpose: Gabbard describes her Hindu faith as central to her life, providing strength, motivation and a clear sense of purpose in the face of political attacks.
Introduction
Tulsi Gabbard is a former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii who ran for president in 2020. She served in the U.S. military for many years, achieving the rank of lieutenant colonel. Gabbard has been both praised and heavily criticized for her independent thinking and bold political stances, especially on topics of war and the military-industrial complex. She recently left the Democratic Party and is now an independent. In this wide-ranging conversation, Gabbard discusses her experiences in Iraq, her views on U.S. foreign policy, her criticisms of the Democratic Party, and the role of faith in her life.
Topics Discussed
Experiences in Iraq and Costs of War (07:14)
Gabbard describes her deployment to Iraq in 2004-2005 as eye-opening to the real costs of war:
- Her daily task was reviewing casualty lists, tracking injured soldiers
- Witnessed friends killed in combat and the trauma experienced by soldiers
- Saw massive profits being made by defense contractors like Halliburton/KBR
- Realized the high human cost on both U.S. troops and Iraqi civilians
Gabbard states: "Experiencing firsthand that high human cost of war caused me, 20-something year old from Hawaii...to recognize the cost of war in two fundamental ways: Number one is the high human cost of war on our troops and on the people in the country where this war was being waged, and also the cost on American taxpayers."
Military-Industrial Complex (46:20)
Gabbard argues the military-industrial complex wields enormous power in Washington:
- Revolving door between Pentagon, Congress, and defense contractors
- Political connections and lobbying influence policy decisions
- Creates pressure to continue wars and military interventions
- Attacks those who challenge its influence as "traitors" or "foreign assets"
She states: "This cabal of warmongers that extends not only within government but outside of government, extends to many powerful media outlets. They are incredibly powerful and don't have any qualms at destroying those who try to get in the way of their power."
Foreign Policy Criticisms (22:10)
Gabbard is highly critical of U.S. interventionist foreign policy:
- Argues many conflicts waged under guise of "war on terror" were unjustified
- Critical of "regime change wars" in Iraq, Libya, Syria
- Opposes current U.S. policy on Ukraine conflict
- Believes many interventions have undermined rather than enhanced U.S. security
On Afghanistan, she states: "I support the initial mission that lifted off shortly after the attack on 9/11...That is the mission that should have been supported and focused on in its execution. Instead, as you know, attention was diverted very quickly to the regime change war in Iraq that was waged on false pretenses."
Media and Political Attacks (1:46:59)
Gabbard describes facing intense criticism and attacks for challenging foreign policy establishment:
- Labeled as "Assad apologist" for meeting with Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad
- Called a "Putin puppet" for opposing U.S. involvement in Ukraine
- Claims Hillary Clinton implied she was being "groomed" by Russians
- Says attacks aim to discredit and silence dissenting voices
She states: "It is a tired yet dependable playbook that is used not only by people like Hillary Clinton, but also people like Mitt Romney and others to try to smear, discredit and destroy the reputations of people who have the audacity to question their objectives as they call for one war or another."
TikTok Ban Legislation Concerns (1:11:08)
Gabbard expresses serious concerns about proposed TikTok ban legislation:
- Argues it's not just about TikTok, but a broader threat to free speech
- Gives executive branch power to ban platforms deemed threats
- Could be used against other social media companies like Twitter/X
- Sees it as dangerous government overreach and power grab
She warns: "This is legislation that's the greatest assault on liberty since the Patriot Act was passed."
Leaving the Democratic Party (1:28:08)
Gabbard explains her reasons for leaving the Democratic Party:
- Believes party has become opposed to fundamental American freedoms
- Criticizes "woke" agenda, open borders, defunding police
- Says party is controlled by "elitist cabal of warmongers"
- Argues Democrats are undermining women's rights and identity
She states: "The Democratic party has become a party that is opposed to freedom, that is opposed to the central and foundational principles that exist within our founding documents and that serve as the identity of who we are as Americans and what this country is supposed to be about."
Faith and Religious Views (1:49:07)
Gabbard describes the central role of her Hindu faith in her life:
- Provides strength, motivation, and sense of purpose
- Sees God as her "best friend" and source of peace
- Grew up with influences from both Hinduism and Christianity
- Emphasizes Hinduism's welcoming nature towards other faiths
She states: "It's everything. It is central to who I am, what inspires me, what motivates me, where I find strength, where I find peace, where I find shelter, and where I find happiness."
Conclusion
This wide-ranging conversation with Tulsi Gabbard provides insight into her experiences in Iraq that shaped her views on war, her criticisms of U.S. foreign policy and the military-industrial complex, and her reasons for leaving the Democratic Party. Gabbard presents herself as an independent voice willing to challenge the foreign policy establishment, even in the face of intense criticism and attacks. Her Hindu faith emerges as a central pillar providing strength and purpose throughout her political journey. While controversial to some, Gabbard offers a perspective that challenges mainstream narratives on war, national security, and partisan politics in America.