Do Son 
A recent data breach has unveiled an alarming degree of negligence toward digital security on the part of Tulsi Gabbard, the current Director of National Intelligence of the United States. It was revealed that, for several years, she reused a single, simplistic password across multiple personal accounts. While there is no evidence that this password was employed within government systems, the scope and nature of the lapses raise serious concerns, especially given Gabbard’s level of access and authority.
Details of the password reuse emerged from leaked databases analyzed by researchers at District4Labs and Constella Intelligence. Their findings indicate that, between 2012 and 2019, the same password was used for Gmail, Dropbox, LinkedIn, MyFitnessPal, and HauteLook—an e-commerce venture formerly owned by Nordstrom. That very password also appeared in a breach involving an email address tied to Gabbard’s personal website domain. It surfaced in combolist collections released in 2017 and 2019, which aggregate login credentials from various undisclosed cyber intrusions.
The password included the word “shraddha,” which seemingly holds personal or spiritual significance for Gabbard. In early 2025, media reports alleged that she had been initiated into the Science of Identity Foundation, a religious movement linked to the Hare Krishna tradition. According to former members, she may have adopted the name “Shraddha Dasi” upon joining. Although Gabbard has officially denied any affiliation with the organization, her team condemned the media’s investigation as Hinduphobic and defamatory.
Following WIRED’s expose, Gabbard’s press secretary, Olivia Coleman, asserted that all passwords had since been changed multiple times and dismissed any commentary on the official’s religious affiliations as an attempt to discredit her. Meanwhile, Gabbard’s deputy chief of staff, Alexa Henning, publicly accused journalists of inciting intolerance by posting their inquiries on the X platform. Henning maintained that the topic had already been thoroughly addressed during Gabbard’s confirmation hearings.
Cybersecurity experts continue to warn that reusing passwords remains one of the most prevalent and perilous practices in digital hygiene. This risk is especially grave when a reused password provides access to an email account, which in turn can serve as a gateway to countless other systems. Experts strongly advise using unique passwords of at least 16 characters or randomly generated passphrases created via password managers.
The incident emerged just days after reports surfaced of Gabbard participating in a Signal group chat where, in the presence of a journalist, sensitive details of a classified military operation were allegedly discussed. This further eroded confidence in her handling of confidential information.
In an era where the head of America’s intelligence community manages a $100 billion budget and oversees 18 agencies—including the CIA and NSA—even minor lapses in personal cybersecurity can pose significant national security risks. The Democratic National Committee has previously labeled Gabbard a threat to national security, citing her remarks on Bashar al-Assad, endorsement by foreign media outlets, and associations with figures known for propagating conspiracy theories.
