Tulsi Gabbard Resigns as US Director of National Intelligence, Citing Husband's Cancer Diagnosis
Tulsi Gabbard is to resign from her position as the US Director of National Intelligence, effective 30 June. Her departure, confirmed by President Donald Trump, is attributed to her husband's recent diagnosis of bone cancer.
In her resignation letter, Gabbard stated, "His strength and love have sustained me through every challenge. I cannot in good conscience ask him to face this fight alone while I continue in this demanding and time-consuming position." President Trump acknowledged her service on social media, noting her "incredible job." Aaron Lukas, the principal deputy director, will assume the role of acting director.
Gabbard, a vocal supporter of Trump's 2024 presidential campaign, took office in 2025. Her tenure has seen reduced public engagement, particularly as the US pursued military actions against Iran, exerted pressure on Cuba, and oversaw the removal of Venezuela's president. This follows earlier departures from the Trump administration by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi, making Gabbard the fourth cabinet member to leave this year.
Her political stance as an anti-interventionist has led to notable friction, especially after the Trump administration's decision to engage in conflict with Iran. Following US-Israel strikes on Iran, Gabbard carefully avoided endorsing the decision during a congressional hearing in March, sidestepping questions regarding potential fallout. She also faced scrutiny over perceived discrepancies between White House and intelligence community assessments of Iran's nuclear enrichment capabilities.
Under Gabbard's leadership, the intelligence community experienced a reduction in size, amidst allegations of concealing intelligence from Congress and politicising the office. A veteran of the Army National Guard and former Democratic congresswoman for Hawaii, Gabbard had previously mounted an unsuccessful presidential bid in 2020 on an anti-interventionist platform. She subsequently left the Democratic Party in 2022, endorsing Trump in his 2024 campaign and serving on his transition team.
