Tulsi Gabbard resignation: Director of National Intelligence to step down as husband faces cancer

Tulsi Gabbard resigned as President Donald Trumps director of national intelligence on Friday. Gabbard said the decision followed a serious family health crisis. Gabbard is the fourth Cabinet official to leave during Trumps second term. The resignation was shared through a letter posted on X and set a clear end date.

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"Unfortunately, I must submit my resignation, effective June 30, 2026,\" Gabbard wrote in her resignation letter, which she posted on X. \"My husband, Abraham, has recently been diagnosed with an extremely rare form of bone cancer.\"

Tulsi Gabbard resignation adds to Trump Cabinet departures

Gabbards exit came after three other high-profile departures in recent months. Trump ousted Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in late March. Critics had questioned Kristi Noems handling of immigration enforcement and disaster response. Attorney General Pam Bondi then stepped down amid anger over Jeffrey Epstein files. Labour Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned in April after misconduct investigations.

There were also reports of tension tied to Trumps approach to Iran. Rumours had suggested Gabbard could split after Trumps decision to strike Iran. The issue created division inside the administration. Joe Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, resigned in March. Joe Kent said Joe Kent could not support the war.

Tulsi Gabbard resignation follows Iran dispute and intelligence testimony

Gabbard, a veteran and former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii, opposed foreign wars for years. That record became harder to square with US strikes on Iran. The US joined Israel in attacks on Iran on February 28. During a March congressional hearing, Gabbard avoided endorsing Trumps decision. Gabbard also sidestepped queries about risks like Irans closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

In written remarks to the Senate Intelligence Committee, Gabbard said Iran had not rebuilt nuclear capability. Gabbard said this followed US attacks last year that destroyed its nuclear programme. That view differed from Trump, who spoke of an imminent threat. Lawmakers pressed for Gabbards own assessment of Iran. Gabbard said it was Trumps call, not Gabbards.

\"It is not the intelligence communitys responsibility to determine what is and is not an imminent threat,\" she said. The exchange underscored the strain between her role and the presidents war rationale. Those moments drew attention because she led the intelligence community. They also came as the administration faced scrutiny for its wider security decisions.

Tulsi Gabbard resignation follows earlier ODNI friction under Trump

Frictions began soon after Trump picked Gabbard to lead the ODNI. The post oversees 18 intelligence agencies and was created after September 11, 2001. Early in the job, Gabbard told lawmakers there was no intelligence showing Iran sought nuclear weapons. After Trump struck Iranian nuclear sites in June, Trump rejected that view. Trump said Gabbard was wrong and Trump did not care what Gabbard said.

Despite that clash, Gabbard later appeared closer to Trump again. Gabbard took a leading role in efforts to revisit Trumps 2020 election loss. That push targeted Joe Biden, whom Gabbard had once endorsed. Gabbard attended an FBI search of election offices in Fulton County, Georgia. The ODNI was formed to focus on foreign threats, not state elections.

Tulsi Gabbard resignation comes after major ODNI changes and complaints

Gabbard said Gabbard would end what Gabbard called politicisation by insiders. Yet Gabbard used the office to support claims Trump won in 2020. Gabbard also moved to weaken findings from earlier probes into Trumps Russia ties. Over one year, Gabbard oversaw a steep workforce reduction. Gabbard also set up a new task force to weigh large intelligence reforms.

Earlier this year, a whistleblower filed a complaint against Gabbard. The filing alleged Gabbard withheld intelligence for political reasons. That complaint led Democrats to call for Gabbards resignation. Those calls gained attention because of the ODNI role. The office is meant to support coordination and trust. It also shapes how sensitive assessments reach policy leaders.

Gabbard, 44, was born in American Samoa and raised in Hawaii. Gabbard spent one childhood year in the Philippines. Gabbard entered Hawaiis House of Representatives at 21. Gabbard left after one term when the National Guard deployed to Iraq. Gabbard served four House terms and often challenged Democratic leaders. Gabbard backed Sen. Bernie Sanders during the 2016 primary.

Gabbard was the first Hindu House member and used the Bhagavad Gita at swearing-in. Gabbard was also the first American Samoan elected to Congress. Gabbard ran for president in 2020 on progressive ideas and anti-war positions. Gabbard later endorsed Joe Biden and left the Democratic Party two years later. Gabbard became an independent, then campaigned for Republicans and worked with Fox News.

Trump later chose Gabbard despite Gabbards limited intelligence background. The selection surprised some because the ODNI manages wide intelligence work. Gabbard cited military service when criticising Middle East wars. Gabbard said those wars destabilised the region and cost lives. Trump also criticised past wars and promised to avoid new overseas conflicts. Gabbards resignation now closes a tense chapter in that partnership.

With inputs from PTI