7:57
The congresswoman also served as a vice chair of the Democratic National Committee during the 2016 campaign but resigned the position in order to support Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders presidential campaign, aligning herself with his populist economic message.
But it is not just her past work on LGBT issues that is facing criticism.
During her interview with CNN's Jones, Gabbard was also pressed on on her controversial meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2017.
![\"PHOTO:](\"http://a.abcnews.com/images/Politics/bashar-al-Assad-gty-ml-180417_hpEmbed_2_7x5_384.jpg\")
Gabbard, who sits on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said she understands “how important it is for our national security… that we've got to be willing to have those conversations, to meet with people, whether they are adversaries, potential adversaries, friends, because if we are not willing to have those conversations, the only alternative is more war, more suffering, more devastation, more lives lost.”
The congresswoman also discussed President Trump’s decision to pull troops from Syria, calling the move \"wise.\"
Gabbard has not given an exact date for a formal announcement of her presidential candidacy but is one of the most prominent Democrats to announce thus far, in addition to Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren (who has formed a presidential exploratory committee), and former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julián Castro.
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