Tulsi Gabbard announced her resignation as President Donald Trump's director of national intelligence on Friday, revealing that her husband has been diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer. She stated that she is stepping down to support him during this difficult time.
Resignation Details
Gabbard informed Trump of her decision during an Oval Office meeting on Friday, according to Fox News Digital. The resignation is effective June 30. However, a source familiar with the matter claimed that Gabbard was forced out by the White House.
Letter of Resignation
In her resignation letter posted on X, Gabbard expressed deep gratitude to Trump for the trust he placed in her and for the opportunity to lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence for the past year and a half. She cited her husband's recent diagnosis with a rare form of bone cancer as the reason for her departure. "I cannot in good conscience ask him to face this fight alone while I continue in this demanding and time-consuming post," she wrote.
Trump's Response
On his Truth Social platform, Trump announced that Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence Aaron Lukas will serve as acting director. Trump praised Gabbard's performance, stating she had done a "great job," but acknowledged that she wants to be with her husband as they battle his illness. Trump had previously hinted at differences with Gabbard over Iran policy, saying in March that she was "softer" than him on curbing Tehran's nuclear ambitions.
