Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard willing to work with Trump administration

Democrat Tulsi Gabbard met with Donald Trump Monday at Trump Tower, sparking speculation that she could be offered a job in the Trump administration. One job that is being mentioned in connection with Gabbard is U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

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Gabbard supported Bernie Sanders during the primaries and resigned her position as DNC vice chair back in February. McClatchy reports that Trump counselor Steve Bannon likes some of the Democrat’s positions on issues like guns and refugees:

Stephen Bannon, Trump’s chief strategist, reportedly likes Gabbard because of her stance on guns, refugees and Islamic extremism along with her ability to invoke strong anti-establishment populist sentiment on the left.

Gabbard did not join the majority of her Democratic colleagues in the House by co-sponsoring gun control legislation this summer. She was one of 47 Democrats who voted in favor of a Republican-sponsored bill that requires refugees from Iraq and Syria to receive background checks from the FBI.

Her district is geographically diverse and rural, it includes all of Hawaii except for Honolulu and some of its suburbs.

Last week, 169 Democrats signed a letter condemning Bannon’s appointment by Trump – but Gabbard was not among the signers.

After the meeting, Gabbard said she had warned Trump not to get involved in a war in Syria. However she also sounded a conciliatory note toward the new administration. From the Hill:

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Gabbard said that while the “rules of political expediency” would suggest she not take a meeting with the president-elect, she refuses to “play politics” with American and Syrian lives.

“I will continue to seek common ground to deliver results that best serve all Americans, as I have tried to do during my time in Congress,” she said.

She added that while she will not hesitate to express any disagreement with Trump, she believes they can come together on some issues.

“We cannot allow continued divisiveness to destroy our country,” she said.

Gabbard did not say whether Trump had mentioned the possibility of serving in his administration.

In addition to Gabbard, Trump has also met with education reformer Michelle Rhee who was rumored to be a possible selection for Secretary of Education.

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