Tulsi Gabbard will attempt to cast her unorthodox political career as a strength at Thursday’s confirmation hearing, using her opening statement to tout her “consistent record of independence” as she vies to become President Donald Trump’s intelligence chief.

Gabbard, who served in the Hawaii Army National Guard and was deployed to Iraq with a medical unit, was known for her anti-interventionist and populist politics during her time in the House from 2013 to 2021. Her career was once defined by championing progressive causes but has since pivoted to sharp criticism of Democrats.