Tulsi Gabbard announces resignation as director of national intelligence, citing husband’s health
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has announced that she will resign from President Donald Trump’s Cabinet at the end of June, ending a roughly 15-month tenure in one of the most sensitive national security roles in the federal government.
In a resignation letter to the president, Gabbard said her husband, Abraham, has been diagnosed with an “extremely rare form of bone cancer” and that she must step away from public service to support him through treatment and the difficult months ahead. Her departure is effective June 30, according to the letter and officials familiar with the matter.
The announcement marks a significant change inside the Trump administration at a time when intelligence and national security issues remain central to the White House agenda. The director of national intelligence oversees and coordinates the work of the U.S. intelligence community, including agencies that collect, analyze and share information on foreign threats, terrorism, cyberattacks and geopolitical risks.
Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii who later became aligned with Trump, was appointed to the intelligence post as part of the president’s effort to reshape his national security team. During her time in office, she became a visible and often outspoken figure in the administration, defending Trump’s foreign policy decisions and helping present the White House’s broader national security messaging.
Her resignation comes after reports of internal speculation in Washington that she might be considering a departure. Senior administration officials said White House aides had heard rumors in recent weeks that Gabbard planned to leave, though she had denied those reports as recently as two weeks ago. The final decision, they said, was communicated directly to the president on Friday.
In the letter obtained by multiple news outlets, Gabbard thanked Trump for the opportunity to serve and said her focus now must turn to her family. “My husband Abraham has recently been diagnosed with an extremely rare form of bone cancer,” she wrote. “He faces major challenges in the coming weeks and months. At this time, I must step away from public service to be by his side and fully support him.”
White House officials have not yet publicly named a successor. Because the director of national intelligence oversees a sprawling network of agencies, a change in leadership at ODNI can have wide-ranging implications for intelligence priorities, classified briefings and coordination among the CIA, NSA, FBI and other agencies.
The timing of Gabbard’s departure is especially notable given the broader regional and international tensions facing the U.S. administration. National security officials are contending with instability in the Middle East, ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine, cyber threats from hostile states and heightened scrutiny over intelligence gathering and counterterrorism operations.
While Gabbard’s tenure drew praise from supporters who viewed her as a strong voice for restraint in foreign policy and an advocate for intelligence reform, critics argued that her approach sometimes blurred the line between intelligence analysis and political loyalty. Her exit is likely to intensify questions about how Trump intends to staff key intelligence positions heading into the next phase of his presidency.
Gabbard’s resignation also reflects the personal demands often faced by senior government officials whose public responsibilities collide with private crises. In her letter, she framed the decision not as a political withdrawal but as a family necessity, emphasizing that her husband’s diagnosis left her no choice but to step back.
For the intelligence community, the coming weeks will focus on continuity. Officials typically work to ensure a smooth transition when leadership changes at ODNI, maintaining oversight of daily intelligence operations, briefings to the president and the national security apparatus that supports policy decisions. Even so, any vacancy at the top of the office can create uncertainty, especially during periods of international volatility.
Gabbard’s departure closes a notable chapter in a political career that has repeatedly crossed party lines and challenged conventional Washington alliances. From Congress to the Cabinet, she has remained a prominent and polarizing figure in national politics. Now, her attention turns away from the public stage and toward a family health battle that she says requires her full presence.
Her resignation, effective June 30, leaves Trump with another important personnel decision as he continues to shape his national security team. Until a replacement is named, the administration will need to manage both the practical and political implications of losing the nation’s top intelligence coordinator.