Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard praised former President Donald Trump during her 2024 CPAC speech.
Gabbard discussed efforts to remove Trump from state election ballots, the former president's legal troubles, and warned of the destruction of America's democratic republic form of governance.
"In defiance of the Constitution, these people are single-handedly deciding that somehow they alone have the authority to take away our right as citizens to decide who we want to be our president," she said.
The former Hawaii representative said efforts to stymie Trump's re-election were so "egregious" that even critics of the former president were calling the tactics into question.
"They're hoping and doing all that they can that they can convict Donald Trump of some crime, any crime, to try to undermine his support and therefore prevent what they fear most: a second Trump presidency," Gabbard added.
Gabbard said there were figures in both major political parties that sought to undermine Americans' ability to select their leaders and also claimed President Joe Biden could not handle a fraction of the stress and pressure Trump currently faced.
In the middle of her speech, Gabbard transitioned toward Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley and the 2024 presidential election.
"Now, if you listen to what Nikki Haley has been saying, she claims that President Trump only cares about himself," Gabbard said as the crowd booed in disapproval of Haley. "If that were the case, wouldn't he just walk away from all this? Walk away from the headaches, and the attacks, and the stress that he's enduring right now."
"I've had the chance to meet with him and speak with him at length, and I've seen firsthand his heartfelt interactions with friends of mine," Gabbard continued. "I have seen how he has touched their hearts and moved them to tears as he expresses appreciation for their service, their sacrifice — no cameras, no crowds, just that heartfelt conveyance of appreciation."
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"This is a man who's a fighter," she added. "His strength and resilience can only come from one place. His ability to endure this hardship can only come from one place, and that's a sincere love and concern for the future of our country, and his care for the American people."
The former Hawaii representative encouraged the audience to find strength in knowing those in power attempting to disrupt Trump's efforts at re-election feared the American people.
Gabbard has been speculated to be a contender as Trump's running mate if he secures the Republican nomination.
During a Wednesday town hall in South Carolina, Trump confirmed Gabbard was on his list for potential running mates along with entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis among others.
"All of those people are good. They’re all solid," Trump said.
