US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard resigns from her position
The wave of resignations within the administration of US President Donald Trump continues with the departure of US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard from her post, making her the fourth woman to leave the administration in three months, following former Attorney General Pam Bondi, former Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, and former Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-Dermer.
Gabbard’s resignation came amid reports of growing differences between her and Trump over the war on Iran, but she justified her decision with family reasons related to her husband’s health.
In a message posted on X, Gabbard revealed that her resignation will take effect on June 30, 2026, explaining that her husband, Abraham, was recently diagnosed with a very rare type of bone cancer.
She confirmed that she would step down from public service to devote herself to him during the next phase, expressing her gratitude for the trust that Trump had placed in her and for the opportunity that had been given to her to lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence during the past year and a half.
Following the resignation announcement, Trump praised Gabbard’s performance via Truth Social, asserting that she “did a fantastic job,” adding that the administration “will miss her”.
He also announced that her deputy, Aaron Lucas, would assume the role of acting Director of National Intelligence during the next phase.
Gabbard’s departure comes after months of talk about disagreements within the administration over how to deal with Iran and the war in the Middle East.
During a congressional hearing last March, Gabbard offered a different assessment of Trump’s stance on Iran, after the US president deemed Tehran an imminent threat before the US-Israeli strikes that ignited the war in the region.
Gabbard, (45), is from Hawaii and was previously a prominent figure within the Democratic Party before moving to Trump’s political camp.
Her pro-Russian stance and adoption of Kremlin-aligned narratives regarding the war in Ukraine have also sparked widespread controversy, along with her repeated criticism of US military interventions abroad.
