Tulsi Gabbard announced Friday that she is resigning as President Trump's director of national intelligence in order to support her husband who is battling a rare form of bone cancer. The resignation represents a significant departure from the administration's national security leadership at a time of heightened global tensions.
In a letter to Trump, Gabbard expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, but emphasized her need to prioritize her family during this difficult period. Her husband, Abraham, has been diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer, prompting her decision to step away from one of the most demanding positions in government.
"His strength and love have sustained me through every challenge," she wrote. "I cannot in good conscience ask him to face this fight alone while I continue in this demanding and time-consuming position."
President Trump responded with praise for Gabbard's service, stating she had done "an incredible job, and we will miss her." Writing on Truth Social, the president acknowledged the gravity of her husband's diagnosis and expressed support for the couple during their battle. Trump announced that Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence Aaron Lukas will serve as acting director of national intelligence.
Gabbard's departure adds to a growing list of Cabinet officials who have left the Trump administration. Other recent departures include Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi, raising questions about continuity in key government positions.
The former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii was confirmed by the United States Senate in February following a contentious confirmation process. Her political journey has been marked by a dramatic shift from seeking the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020 to becoming a stalwart Trump supporter and conservative media personality. Gabbard made history as the first Hindu elected to the House of Representatives in 2012 and served as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserve.
As director of national intelligence, Gabbard oversaw all 18 of the nation's intelligence agencies, a position that placed her at the center of American national security decision-making. She assumed the role after years of criticizing President Biden's response to ongoing conflicts around the world, including his support of Ukraine in its war against Russia.
Her tenure was not without controversy. During her time in the House, Gabbard was a vocal critic of the Obama administration's intervention in the war in Syria. She drew significant backlash in 2017 for visiting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who was accused of myriad human rights abuses throughout the war. During her confirmation hearings, she faced criticism about her lack of experience in intelligence and her past statements about Assad and Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as her past defense of Edward Snowden, who leaked NSA secrets in 2013.
Her time in the Trump administration proved tenuous at times, particularly during Israel's war with Iran over its nuclear program. In March, Gabbard told Congress the intelligence community did not believe Iran was building a nuclear weapon. That assertion was at odds with Israel's view and, ultimately, Trump's own position. The president said June 20 that Iran would have nuclear weapons "within a matter of weeks, or certainly within a matter of months." Asked about how his comments contradict Gabbard's, he said: "She's wrong."
The resignation leaves the intelligence community in transition as Aaron Lukas assumes the acting director role. The position requires Senate confirmation for a permanent replacement, a process that could take months depending on the political climate and the qualifications of the nominee. The departure of such a high-profile figure from the national security apparatus will likely prompt renewed scrutiny of the administration's approach to intelligence gathering and analysis during a period of significant global instability.
