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Gabbard, who has long been a military advocate, has reportedly garnered support from those close to the Trump team. Sources close to the transition team have pointed out that Gabbard could be a more effective pick compared to Wilkie, whose tenure in the first Trump administration was clouded by controversy. Wilkie, the former VA Secretary, was criticized for allegedly mishandling a sexual assault case while serving as undersecretary of Pentagon personnel and readiness—the office tasked with overseeing sexual assault prevention within the military.
Though Gabbard seems to have momentum, she isn’t without competition for the role of Defense Secretary. Other potential candidates include Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a strong advocate for military issues, and House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), both of whom have close ties to the Pentagon and military circles.
Gabbard has earned a reputation as an outspoken supporter of military reform, gaining recognition from conservative circles after endorsing Trump during his 2020 re-election bid. Following her endorsement, she switched her political affiliation to the Republican Party and has since been serving as an advisor on Trump’s transition team.
Gabbard’s military background could make her a strong candidate for the job. She has been a member of the Hawaii Army National Guard since 2003 and has served in several overseas deployments, including Iraq, Kuwait, and the Horn of Africa.
Despite her qualifications, there is a significant legal hurdle in her path. Under federal law, a nominee for Defense Secretary must not have been on active duty in the armed forces for at least seven years before taking office. This rule is in place to preserve the civilian oversight of the military.
Gabbard’s military service began in 2003 when she enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard. She served in Iraq from 2004 to 2005 as part of a field medical unit and later became a second lieutenant, serving as a military police officer in Kuwait from 2008 to 2009. She was promoted to the rank of major in 2015 and transferred to the Army Reserve. In 2021, she was promoted again, this time to lieutenant colonel, while serving as a Civil Affairs officer in the Horn of Africa.
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If Gabbard is nominated for Defense Secretary, the Senate would need to approve a waiver to bypass the seven-year requirement, a process that has been done in the past. Notably, Congress granted similar waivers for former Defense Secretary James Mattis and the current Defense Secretary, Lloyd Austin.
Gabbard’s rise within the Republican Party and her military background place her in a unique position to potentially lead the Pentagon. While legal hurdles and competition from other candidates remain, it’s clear that she is a force to be reckoned with in Trump’s team as he prepares for his next term in office.
