US Director of National Intelligence resigns from position
The Director of National Intelligence of the United States, Tulsi Gabbard, announced this Friday (22) that she is resigning from her position. She will leave the government on June 30th.
With this, Aaron Lukas, then principal deputy director of National Intelligence, will assume the role of acting director of the agency.
Gabbard published a letter on social media, in which she explained that her husband is battling cancer.
"My husband, Abraham, was recently diagnosed with an extremely rare form of bone cancer. He faces great challenges in the coming weeks and months. At this time, I need to step away from public service to be by his side and fully support him in this battle," he commented.
Today, with great humility and sincere appreciation, I shared the below letter with President Trump. It has been a profound honor to serve the American people as DNI. pic.twitter.com/iBi6eURzvE
- DNI Tulsi Gabbard (@DNIGabbard) May 22, 2026
Donald Trump reposted Gabbard's letter on the social network Truth Social and lamented the director's departure.
"I have no doubt that he [Gabbard's husband] will soon be better than ever. Tulsi did an incredible job and we will miss her very much," said the US president.
Term marked by disagreement with the White House
In recent weeks, White House officials have heard rumors that Gabbard plans to step down. But until two weeks ago, she denied that she was leaving the government, a senior federal administration official said.
Her tenure was marked by contradictory and confusing messages, particularly regarding the US war with Iran, which at times put her at odds with the White House.
Gabbard is an Army National Guard veteran and former Democratic congressman, having represented Hawaii's 2nd Congressional District. She made history as the first Samoan-American and practicing Hindu in Congress.
She ran for President for the Democratic Party in 2020, presenting herself as a veteran of the Iraq War and a defender of an anti-interventionist foreign policy, before leaving the party two years later.
In 2024, he supported Trump, campaigning with him and helping him prepare for the debate with then-Vice President Kamala Harris.
Gabbard joined the Republican Party before the election and was a member of Trump's transition team after his victory. The president then named her director of national intelligence, the highest position overseeing the 18 agencies that make up the intelligence community.
Recently, Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security, and Pam Bondi, Attorney General, also resigned from the Trump administration.
Source: CNN