In a surprising political shift, Democrat-turned-Independent Tulsi Gabbard, the former congresswoman from Hawaii, has endorsed former President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential race against Vice President Kamala Harris. Gabbard, known for her outspoken views and independent streak, made the endorsement during a speech at the National Guard conference in Detroit on Monday, marking a significant moment in the campaign season.

Gabbard’s endorsement came on a poignant day—the third anniversary of the tragic suicide bombing in Afghanistan that claimed the lives of 13 U.S. service members during the tumultuous withdrawal from the region. Addressing a diverse audience, Gabbard called for unity among Americans, urging them to reject what she described as the “anti-freedom culture of political retaliation and abuse of power” that she believes is eroding the country’s values.

“We as Americans must stand together to reject this anti-freedom culture of political retaliation and abuse of power. We can’t allow our country to be destroyed by politicians who will put their own power ahead of the interests of the American people, our freedom, and our future,” Gabbard declared, emphasizing the need for decisive leadership to protect the nation’s future.

Gabbard, who served as the Democratic representative for Hawaii’s 2nd congressional district from 2013 to 2021, announced her departure from the Democratic Party in 2022, denouncing it as an “elitist cabal of warmongers.” Since then, she has become an increasingly prominent voice in conservative circles, frequently speaking at events such as the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) and the Faith and Freedom Coalition’s Road to Majority Conference.

Her endorsement of Trump, however, is particularly significant given their shared history. Gabbard ran against Harris in the 2019 Democratic presidential primary, during which she delivered a stinging critique of the then-Senator from California. In a memorable debate moment, Gabbard accused Harris of hypocrisy, pointing out that Harris had reportedly jailed hundreds of Californians for marijuana violations while later admitting to having used the drug herself.

“She put over 1,500 people in jail for marijuana violations and then laughed about it when she was asked if she ever smoked marijuana,” Gabbard said during that debate, a line that resonated with many viewers and marked her as a fierce critic of Harris’s record.

Now, with her endorsement of Trump, Gabbard has aligned herself with a figure she sees as capable of addressing the challenges facing the country. Gabbard’s decision to endorse Trump comes at a time when the former president has been seeking to bolster his campaign with high-profile supporters. Recently, Gabbard was reportedly recruited by Trump to assist with his debate preparation ahead of his September 10th showdown with Harris at the National Constitutional Center in Philadelphia.

This endorsement also follows another notable shift in the 2024 race: former Democrat Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently suspended his Independent presidential bid and threw his support behind Trump. Kennedy cited what he described as “continual legal warfare” waged by the Democratic Party against both Trump and himself, alleging that the party ran a “sham primary.” Kennedy has pledged to campaign alongside Trump until the election, further consolidating a coalition of disaffected former Democrats and Independents rallying around the former president.

Gabbard’s endorsement and her active role in Trump’s campaign preparation signal a growing alliance between prominent former Democrats and the Trump campaign, underscoring the unpredictable and shifting dynamics of the 2024 presidential race. As Gabbard herself put it, she is committed to “saving our country” and believes that Trump is the leader who can achieve that goal.