Story highlights Gabbard was in Paris on Friday to deliver Hawaiian flowers to the terror attack victims' memorial

It's not the first time this fall she has made waves by bucking her party

Washington (CNN) A House Democrat is calling for the U.S. to let Syrian President Bashar Assad stay in power -- a position in stark contrast with President Barack Obama, much of her party and the GOP.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, told CNN on Friday that it's time for the U.S. to stop its "illegal, counter-productive war to overthrow the Syrian government of Assad."

Speaking with CNN's Chris Cuomo in Paris -- where Gabbard said she was visiting a memorial to the victims of the terror attacks there with flowers from her home state -- the second-term congresswoman said removing Assad would help terrorists.

"I don't think Assad should be removed," Gabbard said. "If Assad is removed and overthrown, ISIS, al Qaeda, Al Nustra, these Islamic extremist groups will walk straight in and take over all of Syria ... they will be even stronger."

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