Ex-Democrats Kennedy and Gabbard join forces with Trump

WASHINGTON (TND) — Some former Democrats have joined Donald Trump's movement to "Make America Great, Again."

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii joined the former president's transitional team, the campaigned confirmed to The National Desk.

Trump campaign senior advisor Brian Hughes told TND the campaign was "proud" to welcome Kennedy Jr. and Gabbard to the Trump-Vance transition team as it "expands across partisan lines."

"We look forward to having their powerful voices on the team as we work to restore America’s greatness," Hughes stated.

Kennedy and Gabbard recently endorsed Trump.

Kennedy joined Trump on stage Friday in Arizona after he announced he was suspending his campaign. Kennedy explained that free speech, the war in Ukraine and "a war on our children" were reasons he would remove his name from the ballot in battleground states.

“These are the principal causes that persuaded me to leave the Democratic Party and run as an independent, and now to throw my support to President Trump,” Kennedy said at his event in Phoenix.

On Monday, Gabbard endorsed Trump's presidential bid at aNational Guard Association conference alongside the Republican nominee.

Gabbard defended Trump, "We as Americans must stand together to reject this anti-freedom culture of political retaliation and abuse of power. We can't allow our country to be destroyed by politicians who will put their own power ahead of the interests of the American people, our freedom, and our future."

Trump's campaign didn't disclose what roles Kennedy and Gabbard have on the team.

Editor's Note: The Associated Press contributed to this report.