A major exposé cites thousands of internal records suggesting eccentric religious leader Chris Butler played a significant role in shaping Gabbard’s political messaging and policy positions, claims she and supporters dispute.
A new investigation by Washington Post reporter Jon Swaine has renewed scrutiny of the relationship between former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and Chris Butler, the founder of the Hawaii-based Science of Identity Foundation, after the newspaper obtained hundreds of confidential political and policy memoranda that reportedly circulated during Gabbard’s years in Congress.
According to the report, the documents contained legislative recommendations, policy guidance, messaging advice, and political analysis that closely aligned with positions later taken by Gabbard during her time on Capitol Hill. Swaine said the materials covered a range of issues, including foreign policy, domestic legislation, and political strategy.
The Post reported that many of the memos were distributed through individuals associated with Butler’s inner circle. Former members of the organization told investigators that Butler, who reportedly does not use computers, often communicated verbally through trusted associates who then relayed his views to followers involved in political activities.
Per Mediaite:
A former member of Butler’s sect turned over internal records to Swaine, “because she felt Gabbard misled voters about Butler’s role and his influence on her decision-making,” Swaine wrote. He also noted that some former members “have called the group a cult.”
Swaine said he reviewed thousands of emails and documents while reporting his story.
“Their content was extraordinary,” Swaine wrote. He added, “Dozens of attached memos appeared to document directives and advice for Gabbard from her time in Congress. Some contained instructions on what legislation she should propose, which policies she should embrace and how she should conduct herself on television. They had an air of authority.”
Swaine continued:
I found a 173-page dossier from 2014 titled “TG Issues.” It compiled advice for Gabbard on dozens of topics — from taxes to the mysterious disappearance that year of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 and more. The document was peppered with imperatives. “Start introducing bills,” it said on one issue. “Need to get on it and hit hard. Stop being weak,” it said on another.
Syria was the subject of many of the memos, including one from August 2016 that documented tactical advice on one of Gabbard’s signature policies: preventing the United States from ousting then-Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad.
The memo quoted an unnamed adviser saying she should reiterate her opposition to U.S. intervention in Syria’s civil war, even as a shocking image of a wounded 5-year-old made headlines. “The CIA is the one that started this thing,” the person said.Gabbard made that claim publicly three years later.
Former campaign aide Rebecca Saltzburg, who previously belonged to the Science of Identity Foundation, provided documents and communications to the Post and alleged that Butler’s views frequently reached Gabbard and members of her family through intermediaries. The report states dozens of examples showing Gabbard advancing positions that closely mirrored recommendations contained in the documents.
The investigation stops short of establishing direct control over Gabbard’s decisions. It added that no definitive evidence demonstrates that Butler personally dictated congressional votes or policy positions. Several individuals close to Butler denied that he authored the guidance documents or directed Gabbard’s political activities. One longtime associate told the newspaper that he, rather than Butler, drafted some of the materials.
Questions surrounding Gabbard’s relationship with Butler and the Science of Identity Foundation have persisted throughout much of her political career. Critics have argued that her longstanding ties to the organization raise concerns about outside influence, while supporters have characterized such scrutiny as religious bias and attacks on her Hindu faith. Previous reports examining those connections surfaced during both her presidential campaign and her nomination to lead the intelligence community.
Representatives for Gabbard have previously rejected allegations that Butler exercised influence over her political decisions, describing criticisms as examples of anti-Hindu bigotry. Butler and several associates have similarly denied claims that he directed Gabbard’s political career.
While the memos provide new insight into the advice circulating around her political network, the question of how much influence those communications had on her official decisions remains contested.
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