Tulsi Gabbard’s release of declassified documents in July 2025, alleging a “treasonous conspiracy” by the Obama administration to undermine Donald Trump’s 2016 election victory, resonates with the principled tenacity of Steve McGarrett, the iconic character played by Jack Lord in Hawaii Five-O. McGarrett, as the resolute leader of the fictional Hawaii state police task force, embodied an unwavering commitment to justice, often pursuing high-stakes cases involving corruption or threats to public trust with relentless determination. Similarly, Gabbard, as Director of National Intelligence, has positioned herself as a guardian of truth by declassifying over 100 pages of documents that she claims expose how Obama-era officials, including James Clapper and John Brennan, manipulated intelligence to create a false narrative of Russian election interference. Her bold accusations and call for criminal investigations mirror McGarrett’s dogged pursuit of wrongdoers, no matter their status, reflecting a shared belief that no one is above the law.

McGarrett’s character in Hawaii Five-O was defined by his moral clarity and willingness to confront powerful adversaries to protect the integrity of his community, often navigating complex political and criminal landscapes with a focus on evidence over politics. Gabbard’s actions echo this principle as she frames her release of documents as a non-partisan effort to safeguard American democracy, stating that the alleged conspiracy “threatens the very foundation and integrity of our democratic republic.” Her decision to forward the documents to the Department of Justice for potential prosecution parallels McGarrett’s methodical approach to building cases against influential figures, emphasizing accountability over expediency. Like McGarrett, who often operated in the face of skepticism or bureaucratic resistance, Gabbard’s claims have sparked controversy and pushback from figures like Rep. Jim Himes, yet she persists in her mission to expose what she sees as a betrayal of public trust.

However, just as McGarrett’s black-and-white view of justice sometimes overlooked nuance, Gabbard’s dramatic framing of a “treasonous conspiracy” risks oversimplifying a complex historical narrative, potentially aligning more with political theater than McGarrett’s disciplined investigative style. While McGarrett relied on concrete evidence and trusted his team to uphold the law, Gabbard’s allegations lean heavily on documents that some critics argue misrepresent the broader intelligence consensus, which confirmed Russian efforts to influence the 2016 election without altering vote counts. McGarrett’s principles were grounded in serving the public good, often at personal cost, and Gabbard’s defenders might argue she’s taking a similar stand by challenging powerful establishment figures. Yet, her critics, including those who point to her past controversies, suggest her actions may serve a more politicized agenda, diverging from McGarrett’s apolitical dedication to truth. Despite these differences, both figures share a commitment to confronting perceived injustices head-on, making Gabbard’s move a modern echo of McGarrett’s uncompromising pursuit of justice.