‘Threatening Western Civilization’: Tulsi Gabbard Slams ‘Islamist Ideology’ As America’s Greatest Threat

Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard called Islamist ideology “the greatest near and long-term threat” to American freedom and security.

Gabbard warned that the political ideology seeks to establish a global caliphate governed by Sharia law during a speech at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest conference Saturday.

“At its core, it is a political ideology that seeks to create a global caliphate that governs us here in America, threatening Western civilization,” Gabbard said. “Governance by Sharia law.”

The former Democratic congresswoman and Iraq War veteran pointed to specific American cities where she says the ideology has gained a foothold. (RELATED: Michigan Muslim Preacher Helped Radicalize Teen ‘Co-Conspirator’ In Halloween Terrorist Plot, FBI Says)

“In places like Dearborn, Michigan and Minneapolis, Minnesota, Islamist clerics are openly pushing this Islamist ideology, trying to recruit and radicalize young people,” Gabbard said.

She also cited a conference earlier this year involving the Council on American-Islamic Relations that she said “issued a call to action to use American legal and political systems to implement Sharia law.”

“This is already underway in places like Houston,” Gabbard added. “Patterson, New Jersey is proud to call themselves the first Muslim city.”

Gabbard connected the threat to the September 11 attacks, which she said motivated her to enlist in the Army.

“We were confronted with the reality of the length that they will go to try to attack the foundations of who we are as a country,” she said.

The DNI warned that without action, America could face situations similar to European countries where citizens face arrest for social media posts or silent prayer.

“A free society cannot survive if it refuses to defend itself,” Gabbard said.