Tulsi Gabbard has announced she will step down as the United States Director of National Intelligence, saying she needs to support her husband after his diagnosis with a rare form of bone cancer.
In a statement posted on social media, Gabbard said she would resign effective June 30, 2026, after serving for about 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,” Gabbard wrote.
She said her husband, Abraham Williams, had recently been diagnosed with “an extremely rare form of bone cancer”.
“At this time, I must step away from public service to be by his side and fully support him through this battle.”
Trump praised Gabbard on social media, describing her as having done “an incredible job”, while announcing that Principal Deputy Director Aaron Lukas would serve as acting intelligence chief.
Her departure makes her the fourth cabinet-level figure to leave Trump’s second administration.
Vice President JD Vance has praised departing Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, calling her “a patriot” and “a great asset to the administration” after she announced her resignation to support her husband Abraham Williams following his cancer diagnosis.
In a statement, Vance said he was “sorry to see her go” but understood that “family comes first”. He added that Gabbard and her husband would remain in his prayers and thanked her for being “a loyal confidante” and “a great addition to the administration”.
Gabbard’s resignation comes amid reports of growing tensions inside the White House over foreign policy, particularly regarding Iran. Reuters reported that senior White House officials had expressed frustration with Gabbard in recent months, including over her absence from key national security discussions and the activities of her intelligence reform task force.
A former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii, Gabbard became known nationally for her anti-war stance before later endorsing Trump and joining his administration.
Gabbard is widely recognised for breaking barriers in American politics while also serving her country in uniform. A combat veteran and officer in the Hawaii Army National Guard, she served in the Middle East, including deployments to Iraq and Kuwait, earning respect across political lines for her military service and firsthand understanding of war. In 2012, Gabbard made history by becoming the first practicing Hindu elected to the United States Congress.
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