Tulsi Gabbard has announced she is stepping down as Director of National Intelligence under President Donald Trump, citing her husband’s recent diagnosis with a rare form of bone cancer and her decision to support him through treatment.
In a resignation letter posted on X, Gabbard said she could not remain in such a demanding role while her husband, Abraham Williams, faced a serious health battle.
“I cannot in good conscience ask him to face this fight alone while I continue in this demanding and time-consuming post,” she wrote, adding that she was “deeply grateful for the trust you placed in me and for the opportunity to lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence for the last year and a half.”
The resignation is set to take effect on 30 June.
A White House spokesperson, Davis Ingle, said on X that Gabbard was stepping aside due to her husband’s illness, describing her as “an America First patriot who has served this country faithfully and extremely well over the last 16 months”.
President Trump also paid tribute, saying Gabbard had done “a great job” and acknowledging her decision to step back to support her husband. He confirmed that Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence Aaron Lukas would serve as acting director once her departure takes effect.
However, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters that Gabbard had been pushed out by the White House, adding: “The White House has been unhappy with her for quite some time.”
While the official line has focused on personal circumstances, multiple reports have pointed to tensions between Gabbard and senior figures in the administration.
President Trump had previously suggested differences in approach, including in March when he said she was “softer” on Iran compared with his stance on limiting Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
Sources also told Reuters in April that Gabbard was at risk of losing her position amid a wider cabinet reshuffle. A senior White House official said at the time that the president had expressed dissatisfaction with her performance in recent months, and had consulted allies about possible replacements.
Some officials described a deeper breakdown in relations. One source told Reuters that Gabbard had been “pushed out by the White House”, adding that “the White House has been unhappy with her for quite some time”.
Among reported areas of friction were the activities of her Director’s Initiatives Group, which worked on issues including declassifying material related to the death of former President John F. Kennedy, reviewing election machine security, and examining the origins of COVID-19.
Another point of contention, according to sources, was her decision last August to revoke the security clearances of 37 current and former US officials — a move that reportedly led to the exposure of an undercover intelligence officer’s identity.
Democratic Senator Mark Warner, speaking after an event in Virginia, said the role had become increasingly politicised.
“This position now more than ever needs to be an independent, experienced intelligence professional,” he said, adding that the Director of National Intelligence should focus on foreign intelligence rather than domestic political matters.
President Trump confirmed that Aaron Lukas will serve as acting Director of National Intelligence following Gabbard’s departure.
In his statement, Trump said she had been managing a “tough battle” at home and wished her family well as they navigate her husband’s illness.
Gabbard’s resignation marks the end of a turbulent period in one of the U.S. government’s most sensitive security roles, with her tenure shaped by both policy initiatives and political controversy.
Iran has said that reaching an agreement with the U.S. to end the war does not mean Tehran will overlook what it describes as war crimes committed aga...
A senior U.S. official said on Monday that the memorandum of understanding linked to the U.S.-Iran agreement had been signed by President Donald Trump...
Pakistan's political leadership on Monday welcomed a breakthrough agreement between the U.S. and Iran aimed at ending more than three months of confli...
Uzbekistan and five partner countries have signed a protocol to further develop the CASCA+ railway corridor, a growing transport route linking Central...
The UK has become the latest country to annouce a social media ban for children under 16. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer made the announcement on...
Uzbekistan and five partner countries have signed a protocol to further develop the CASCA+ railway corridor, a growing transport route linking Central Asia, the South Caucasus and Türkiye that provides an alternative connection between Asian and European markets.
An armed unmanned aerial vehicle crashed on a Black Sea beach in northern Türkiye on Sunday, prompting a security operation and the controlled detonation of its munitions.
Spain has received around 900,000 applications from undocumented migrants seeking legal status under a government regularisation programme. The influx has far exceeded initial expectations, the Migration Ministry said on Monday.
A Ukrainian man has been found guilty of carrying out a series of arson attacks on properties linked to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer after being recruited by a mystery figure known only as "EL Money".
Details of a reported draft memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran offer the clearest picture yet of how both sides plan to end months of conflict and move towards a longer-term settlement.
The U.S. and Iran say they have reached a deal to end their conflict, with an immediate ceasefire and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz after the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade. Talks will continue over the next 60 days to finalise the agreement
A senior U.S. official said on Monday that the memorandum of understanding linked to the U.S.-Iran agreement had been signed by President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told U.S. President Donald Trump that Israel does not consider itself bound by a Lebanon-related provision in an emerging agreement with Iran, according to Israeli officials.
Switzerland on Sunday rejected a referendum proposal to cap its population at 10 million, a projection showed, as voters prioritised economic stability and the country's ties with the European Union over immigration concerns.
Pakistan's political leadership on Monday welcomed a breakthrough agreement between the U.S. and Iran aimed at ending more than three months of conflict, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif describing it as a major diplomatic success and a victory for peace.
Spain has received around 900,000 applications from undocumented migrants seeking legal status under a government regularisation programme. The influx has far exceeded initial expectations, the Migration Ministry said on Monday.
A Ukrainian man has been found guilty of carrying out a series of arson attacks on properties linked to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer after being recruited by a mystery figure known only as "EL Money".
British lawmakers look set to revisit assisted dying in the new parliamentary session after Labour MP Lauren Edwards said she would reintroduce legislation that failed to complete its passage through Parliament earlier this year.
Israel expects to secure new contracts for its air and missile defence systems from European countries within weeks, as governments across the continent continue to strengthen their militaries amid security concerns linked to Russia's war in Ukraine.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment