Tulsi Gabbard announced her resignation as U.S. Director of National Intelligence on May 22, citing her husband’s diagnosis with a rare form of bone cancer. Her departure is effective June 30.
Gabbard informed President Donald Trump during a meeting in the Oval Office and posted her resignation letter on social media. She said she could not ask her husband, Abraham Williams, to face treatment alone while she remained in a demanding national security role.
Trump said Gabbard had done an incredible job and named Aaron Lukas, the principal deputy director, to serve as acting intelligence chief. Gabbard is the fourth Cabinet official to leave during Trump’s second term, following the ouster of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in March.
Confirmed by the Senate in a 52-48 vote, Gabbard had faced scrutiny over her limited intelligence background and past foreign policy positions. Her tenure included efforts to declassify government records and reduce intelligence community costs. A whistleblower complaint earlier in 2026 alleged she withheld intelligence for political reasons, which she denied.
Gabbard said she made progress on transparency and cost reduction at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Her top aide Joe Kent departed earlier in 2026 over disagreement on Iran policy. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell was the sole Republican who voted against her confirmation in February.
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Sources:
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/live-blog/trump-fed-chair-warsh-mike-lawler-ice-budget-iran-live-updates-rcna346431