Tulsi Gabbard announced her resignation as the Director of National Intelligence on May 24, 2026, following her husband's diagnosis with a rare form of bone cancer. In her resignation letter to President Trump, effective June 30, Gabbard expressed the need to support her husband during this challenging time. She stated, "I cannot in good conscience ask him to face this fight alone while I continue in this demanding and time-consuming position." Gabbard described her husband as her "rock" throughout their 11-year marriage, which has included various personal and professional challenges.
President Trump praised Gabbard's work in a post on Truth Social and announced that her deputy, Aaron Lukas, will serve as acting director during the transition. Gabbard is the fourth Cabinet member to leave the administration in 2026, following the departures of Attorney General Pam Bondi, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer. Her resignation creates a vacancy in a critical role overseeing the nation's intelligence community amid ongoing tensions with Iran.
Gabbard, who was sworn in as DNI in February 2025, has been known for her opposition to military intervention in Iran. Earlier this year, she expressed concerns about the current war and emphasized that the president must determine what constitutes an imminent threat. Gabbard's tenure included significant staff reductions aimed at increasing efficiency within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
Reactions to her resignation varied, with GOP Rep. Rick Crawford noting her progress on reforms within the intelligence community, while Sen. Mark Warner emphasized the importance of restoring trust in the office. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer warned against prioritizing political loyalty over competence in selecting her successor.
