Tulsi Gabbard announced Friday that she is resigning as President Donald Trump’s director of national intelligence after her husband was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer, ending a tenure marked by growing scrutiny and reported policy disagreements inside the administration.
Gabbard said she decided to step down to support her husband during his treatment. Her resignation will take effect June 30, according to a report. The former congresswoman informed Trump of her decision during a meeting in the Oval Office on Friday.
Gabbard cites a family health crisis
In a resignation letter posted on X, Gabbard thanked Trump for the opportunity to lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence over the past year and a half. She wrote that she was “deeply grateful for the trust you placed in me.”
I am deeply grateful for the trust President Trump placed in me and for the opportunity to lead @ODNIgov for the last year and a half.
Unfortunately, I must submit my resignation, effective June 30, 2026. My husband, Abraham, has recently been diagnosed with an extremely rare… pic.twitter.com/PS0Dxp5zpd
— Tulsi Gabbard 🌺 (@TulsiGabbard) May 22, 2026
Gabbard said she could no longer balance the demands of the position with her husband’s health crisis. “I cannot in good conscience ask him to face this fight alone while I continue in this demanding and time-consuming post,” she wrote.
Trump names acting replacement
Trump later praised Gabbard on his Truth Social platform and announced that Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence Aaron Lukas would serve as acting director.
🚨 JUST IN: President Trump puts out an INCREDIBLY supportive statement following Tulsi Gabbard's resignation due to her husband's bone cancer
"Tulsi has done an incredible job, and we will miss her."
"Her wonderful husband, Abraham, has been recently diagnosed with a rare form… pic.twitter.com/BOkVfzu1st
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) May 22, 2026
The president described Gabbard as having done “a great job” during her time in the administration. “She, rightfully, wants to be with him, bringing him back to good health as they currently fight a tough battle together,” Trump wrote.
White House pressure claim emerges
A person familiar with the matter, however, said Gabbard had also faced pressure within the White House before her resignation. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss internal deliberations publicly. The White House did not immediately comment on the claim.
Iran’s differences added to tensions
Gabbard’s departure comes after months of speculation about tensions between her and Trump over foreign policy issues, particularly Iran.
In March, Trump publicly suggested Gabbard held a softer position than he did on Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. The president said at the time that she was “softer” on efforts to curb Iran’s nuclear program.
Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii who later became an independent political figure aligned with Trump, took over the intelligence role during a period of heightened geopolitical tensions involving Iran, China, and Russia.
Her appointment drew attention because of her past criticism of U.S. foreign policy interventions and her willingness to challenge positions held by both major political parties.
Intelligence leadership transition begins
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence oversees and coordinates the work of America’s intelligence agencies and serves as a key adviser to the president on national security matters.
It remains unclear who Trump may nominate to permanently replace Gabbard after her resignation takes effect at the end of June.
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