DONALD Trump’s new Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard served in war zones before she turned to a career in politics.

And the former Hawaii congresswoman has opened up about her experiences on the battlefield during her political campaigns.

In January 2019, Gabbard launched a bid to become the Democratic presidential nominee for president and viewers showed curiosity about the distinctive gray streak in her hair.

In a video, she revealed many people ask her about the streak.

Gabbard, formerly of the Hawaii Army National Guard, was deployed to Iraq in 2004.

And, she opened up about the effects of fighting overseas.

“I started to gray in that spot during and after my first deployment of Iraq,” she said.

“I’ve chosen to keep it as a daily reminder of the terrible cost of war, who pays the price of war, and the importance of peace.”

Gabbard also responded to a social media user who asked if she was going to “fix” the gray streak.

“No, I’m not going to fix that gray strand,” she clapped back.

“I don’t know what you mean by ‘fix.’

“If you mean dye, no, I’m not going to dye it.”

And, fans have rushed to hail Gabbard for deciding to keep her gray streak.

“Love her more now,” one fan said.

Fans branded Gabbard a “war hero” and a “patriot” after learning about the reason behind her gray streak.

During her military career, Gabbard was deployed to Kuwait in 2008 and became a major in the Hawaii Army National Guard in 2015.

She was awarded the gong while serving as a Democratic congresswoman for Hawaii’s second congressional district.

Gabbard backed Joe Biden for president in 2020 before leaving the party just two years later.

She blasted the Democratic establishment for shifting too far left and railed against those who were supposingly prioritizing the interests of the elite, rather than voters.

And, she raised eyebrows when she appeared to blame the Ukraine war on Biden.

Gabbard also lashed out at those who she believed had weaponized the national security state and dragged the US closer to nuclear conflict.

FROM DEMOCRAT TO REPUBLICAN

She endorsed Donald Trump to be president ahead of the 2024 election.

“Trump understands the grave responsibility we all bear,” she said.

“This administration has us facing multiple wars on multiple fronts in regions around the world, and closer to the brink of nuclear war than we ever have been before.

“This is one of the main reasons why I am committed to doing all that I can to send President Trump back to the White House, where he can once again serve us as our commander-in-chief.”

Trump nominated her to serve as the country’s Director of National Intelligence.

But, her confirmation process was far from straightforward.

She was sworn in on Wednesday after being confirmed in a 52-48 vote in the Senate.

Republican grandee Mitch McConnell was the only GOP senator to vote against Gabbard’s nomination.

She survived grillings from lawmakers who probed her on views of Russia and Syria.

Gabbard has been accused of cozying up to the Russian state.

And, she sparked controversy when she visited Syria in 2017 to meet with the now-toppled tyrant Bashar Assad.

“When the opportunity arose to meet with him, I did so because I felt that it’s important that if we profess to truly care about the Syrian people, about their suffering, then we’ve got to be able to meet with anyone that we need to if there is a possibility that we can achieve peace,” she told CNN.