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Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced on Friday her intent to resign from the Trump administration, calling her time serving in the role a “profound honor.”
Gabbard posted a copy of her resignation letter, written and delivered to President Donald Trump, on social media, informing him of her decision. She will depart the administration on June 30, 2026.
Gabbard’s reason for resigning, she said, was due to a recent bone cancer diagnosis her husband, Abraham, received.
“He faces major challenges in the coming weeks and months,” she wrote. “At this time, I must step away from public service to be by his side and fully support him through this battle. Abraham has been my rock throughout our eleven years of marriage – standing steadfast throughout my deployments to East Africa on a Joint Special Operations mission, multiple political campaigns, and now my service in this role.”
Gabbard has been one of the standout members of President Trump’s second-term cabinet. According to Fox News, in her role as DNI, she has declassified more than half a million pages of government files and has kick-started the “Weaponization Working Group,” which worked to expose the past administration’s alleged efforts to weaponize the federal apparatus.
President Donald Trump reacted to Gabbard’s announcement shortly after it went public, writing on Truth Social that she had done a “great job” in her role.
“Her wonderful husband, Abraham, has been recently diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer, and she, rightfully, wants to be with him, bringing him back to good health as they currently fight a tough battle together,” the president wrote. “I have no doubt he will soon be better than ever. Tulsi has done an incredible job, and we will miss her.”
The president said that the current Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence, Aaron Lukas, will serve as the acting director upon Gabbard’s departure next month.
