Tulsi Gabbard

The unproven allegations that the U.S. is assisting Ukraine in the creation of new bioweapons were denied by various members of the federal government.

She also said she was skeptical of claims he had used chemical weapons, despite findings from a U.N. group commissioned by the Security Council. Gabbard would go on to stand by that meeting and her comments for years, at one point arguing that "Assad is not the enemy of the United States because Syria does not pose a direct threat to the United States" on MSNBC in 2019. More recently, Gabbard has made frequent appearances on Tucker Carlson's show -- itself accused of being cozy with Kremlin talking points, according to Mother Jones -- to say that Putin's buildup of troops near Ukraine was justified because of the country's pursuit of NATO membership. Two key points that the Pentagon noted in a fact sheet released Friday were that "after Russia launched its unlawful invasion of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Ministry of Health responsibly ordered the safe and secure disposal of samples." He noted that the statement has not been changed by the release of Sunday's video. Task and Purpose reported on another serving Army Reserve officer, who was investigated after making an appearance on the far-right TV network OANN amid a campaign. At the time, she told CNN that "whatever you think about President Assad, the fact is that he is the president of Syria" and that he was vital to securing peace in the country. "It is a legitimate security concern for Russia," Gabbard said in one appearance posted to her TikTok account before accusing the Biden administration of "smearing" those who disagree with the U.S. government position as "traitors." Although she later walked back some of her support for Assad amid a bid for president in the 2020 campaign on the Democratic ticket, her use of Russian talking points led to a major attack against her by fellow candidate Hillary Clinton. Several American media outlets also noted that Gabbard's campaign and debate performance were being elevated by Russian-aligned media and social media users. Gabbard famously met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2017 amid a brutal and bloody civil war and shortly after the Battle of Aleppo -- a fight that had many allegations of war crimes, including the use of chemical weapons by Syrian and Russian forces. Maj. Dan Lessard, a unit spokesman, said that "Tulsi Gabbard's comments made in her civilian capacity represent her views and not those of 1st Special Forces Command" in an email to Military.com on Monday -- the same statement he issued last week. Gabbard is a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve, serving as a civil affairs officer currently assigned to 1st Special Forces Command. That unit oversees all of the Army's Special Forces -- commonly known as the Green Berets, as well as units that conduct psychological operations, civil affairs and supporting roles. Romney, in a tweet Sunday afternoon, said the video was "parroting Russian propaganda" and that Gabbard's "treasonous lies may well cost lives."

Founder of a nonprofit that aims to improve U.S.-Russian relations was the top individual donor to the Hawaiian Democrat's political action committee.

Donations in support of Gabbard comprise 69% of Tennison’s total political giving, according to records with the Federal Election Commission. Tulsi Aloha reported raising a total of $45,000 in 2021. The crux of Tennison’s political contributions have gone to Gabbard, the former Democratic congresswoman and presidential candidate who’s been a prominent Russian sympathizer. During its 40 years, the center claims to have set up exchanges, helped launch Alcoholics Anonymous in Russia and taught business skills to Russian entrepreneurs.