Tulsi Gabbard has announced her resignation as the United States Director of National Intelligence, saying she wants to focus on supporting her husband after he was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer.
In a statement shared on social media, Gabbard said her resignation will take effect on June 30, 2026, after serving for approximately 18 months in President Donald Trump’s administration.
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
“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,” Gabbard wrote.
She revealed that her husband, Abraham Williams, had recently been diagnosed with “an extremely rare form of bone cancer,” prompting her decision to step away from public office.
President Trump praised Gabbard for her work, calling her service “incredible,” while announcing that Principal Deputy Director Aaron Lukas would take over as acting intelligence chief.
Her resignation marks the fourth departure of a cabinet-level official during Trump’s second administration.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 22, 2026
Vice President JD Vance also paid tribute to Gabbard, describing her as “a patriot” and “a great asset to the administration.” He said he was saddened by her departure but respected her decision, adding that “family comes first.” Vance also thanked Gabbard for her loyalty and contributions, saying that she and her husband would remain in his prayers.
Gabbard’s exit comes amid reports of growing tensions within the White House over foreign policy matters, particularly concerning Iran.
Tulsi is a patriot, a great asset to the administration, and a dear friend. I'm sorry to see her go, but certainly understand that family comes first. She and her husband Abraham will be in my prayers as they face this next challenge together, and she has my gratitude for being a…
— JD Vance (@JDVance) May 22, 2026
According to Reuters, senior officials had reportedly expressed frustration in recent months over her absence from key national security discussions and concerns surrounding her intelligence reform initiatives.
A former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii, Gabbard gained national recognition for her anti-war views before later endorsing Trump and joining his administration.
She is also known for her military service as a combat veteran and officer in the Hawaii Army National Guard, with deployments in Iraq and Kuwait. In 2012, she made history by becoming the first practicing Hindu elected to the United States Congress