Former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard?waves as she arrives to speak before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Oct. 24. AP-Yonhap

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump tapped former congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard to serve as the director of national intelligence (DNI) on Wednesday, saying the military veteran will bring "fearless" spirit to America's intelligence community.

Trump issued a statement on the designation of Gabbard, a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve who has served in uniform for more than two decades, with three deployments to conflict zones in the Middle East and Africa.

"I am pleased to announce that former Congresswoman, Lieutenant Colonel Tulsi Gabbard, will serve as Director of National Intelligence. For over two decades, Tulsi has fought for our Country and the Freedoms of all Americans," Trump wrote in the statement.

He added, "I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community, championing our Constitutional Rights, and securing Peace through Strength."

Gabbard served as a House member representing a Hawaii district from 2013-21. Foregoing a run for reelection to Congress in 2020, she ran for president as a Democrat.

In 2022, Tulsi announced she was leaving the Democratic Party, becoming an independent. In October this year, she joined the Republican Party.

On Tuesday, Trump announced former DNI John Ratcliffe as his pick to lead the Central Intelligence Agency. (Yonhap)