Tulsi Gabbard announces she is officially joining the Republican Party

Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who left the Democratic Party to become an Independent, announced on Tuesday night that she is officially joining the Republican Party.

Gabbard's announcement occurred during a campaign rally for former President Donald Trump in North Carolina. The former lawmaker left the Democratic Party in 2022, and has supported Republican candidates recently, including endorsing Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris in August.

The Hawaiian lamented that the Democratic Party no longer serves as a "home" for people who love the Constitution.

“To those of you here or those watching at home who are independent-minded people like myself, who love our country and are committed to the Constitution and to freedom, the Democrat Party has no home for people like us,” Gabbard said.

"I'm proud to stand here with you today, President Trump, and announce that I'm joining the Republican Party," she added.

Gabbard represented Hawaii as a Democrat in the House of Representatives from 2013 through 2021, and ran for the Democratic nomination for president in 2020. 

Trump claimed that Gabbard's announcement was a "surprise" but that it was "great" she was joining his party. 

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.