Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence, has resigned from her post in the Trump administration, effective June 30. In a resignation letter addressed to President Donald Trump, Gabbard cited her husband’s recent diagnosis of an extremely rare form of bone cancer as the primary reason for her departure. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) for the past year and a half but emphasized the need to prioritize her husband’s health. 'At this time, I must step away from public service to be by his side and fully support him through this battle,' she wrote. Trump confirmed her resignation on Truth Social, praising her work and wishing her husband a speedy recovery. Aaron Lukas, Gabbard’s principal deputy, will serve as acting director in the interim.
Gabbard’s resignation follows months of reported friction within the administration, particularly over Trump’s decision to launch military strikes against Iran. As a former Democratic congresswoman and vocal opponent of foreign intervention, Gabbard’s stance on the Iran conflict reportedly clashed with Trump’s policies. Her departure marks the fourth high-profile resignation from Trump’s Cabinet in recent months, following the exits of Attorney General Pam Bondi, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer. Gabbard’s tenure was also marked by internal disputes, including the resignation of her deputy, Joe Kent, who criticized the administration’s handling of the Iran war.
During her time at ODNI, Gabbard declassified over half a million pages of government records, a move that drew both praise and scrutiny. She had previously endorsed Trump in 2024, citing his anti-interventionist stance, but her public statements on the Iran conflict—including a video warning against escalation—reportedly strained her relationship with the president. Trump’s lukewarm response to questions about her job security in March further fueled speculation about her future in the administration.
Gabbard’s resignation comes amid ongoing tensions within the intelligence community and broader geopolitical challenges, including the U.S.-led strikes on Iran. Her departure leaves a critical leadership vacuum in the ODNI, which oversees 18 intelligence agencies. The administration has not yet announced a permanent replacement.