The choice of Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence in Donald Trump's second administration could cause "a lot of headaches" for U.S. allies, including Canada, given her questionable past comments regarding both the Ukraine war and some Western adversaries led by autocrats.

The meetings with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad hung over Gabbard, Trump’s choice for director of national intelligence, as she ran for president in 2020.

Trump's pick of Tulsi Gabbard as the next Director of National Intelligence has left members of the intelligence community reeling, with some considering quitting if she ends up in the role.