Former Democrat Rep. Gabbard endorses Trump

Former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard on Monday endorsed GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump during a National Guard conference in battleground Michigan in which she praised Trump for his foreign policy as president.

"I'm committed to doing all that I can to send President Trump back to the White House, where he once again serve us as our commander in chief," said the retired Hawaii congresswoman and former Democratic presidential candidate who served in Iraq and Kuwait. 

"I know that President Trump understands the grave responsibility that a president bears for every single one of our lives, whether you're a soldier, you're an airman, a marine sailor or a Coastie, he keeps us in his heart, in the decisions that he makes," Gabbard said. 

"We saw first term in the presidency when he not only didn't start any new wars, he took action to deescalate and wars. ... As we head towards our decision as a country in November, the same cannot be about Kamala Harris," Gabbard said about Vice President Kamala Harris, who is now the Democratic presidential nominee.

During the conference, Trump pointed out the day marked the third anniversary of 13 U.S. service members being killed in a terrorist attack at the Kabul airport during the final U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan, under the Biden administration.

"Should have taken the soldiers out last," Trump said of the chaotic withdrawal. "They took the soldiers out first ... at our expense and our reputation. We will never forget those brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice for our country. ... The humiliation in Afghanistan set off the collapse of American credibility and respect."

Before Gabbard's endorsement, Trump also said: "I don't think we've ever been closer to World War III that we are right now."