Gabbard, who represented Hawaii in the House for eight years as a Democrat, is visiting Washington D.C. to meet with senators this week. Her potential nomination as director of America’s intelligence apparatus has been clouded by the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria at the hands of rebel groups. In 2017, the then-House member met the Syrian President, leading to accusations that she was legitimising a leader widely condemned for human rights abuses and alleged war crimes. Gabbard defended the meeting, arguing that direct engagement was necessary to pursue peace and avoid further US entanglement in the region.

During the Undercurrents interview, Paul addressed the US presence in Syria, an issue Gabbard has frequently highlighted. He criticised the deployment of 900 American troops in the region, describing it as strategically ineffective and dangerously symbolic. “I don’t think 900 troops are doing anything of value there. I think they literally are a target,” Paul said, adding that their presence serves more as a “tripwire” than a deterrent.

The senator highlighted the contradictory roles of various US agencies in Syria, where the Pentagon and CIA have historically backed opposing factions in the country’s civil war. He expressed concern over the fate of religious minorities, particularly Christians, who were afforded some protection under the Assad regime but face uncertainty under extremist groups gaining power. “One of the very few positive aspects of the Assad regime was the protection of Christians,” he noted.

Paul also claimed that Gabbard’s foreign policy outlook resonates with many Americans who prioritise domestic issues over prolonged overseas entanglements. “I see significant support when I talk about these issues,” he said. “People are tired of endless intervention and are looking for leaders like Tulsi who challenge the status quo.”

Watch the full interview here.