Tulsi Gabbard resigning as Trump's intelligence chief

Tulsi Gabbard is resigning as President Donald Trump’s director of national intelligence, effective June 30, citing the need to support her husband, Abraham Williams, who has been diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer. Gabbard’s departure marks the latest high-profile exit from the Trump administration. Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence Aaron Lukas will assume the role in an acting capacity, according to Trump’s announcement on Truth Social. Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii who switched allegiance to the Republican Party, was confirmed as director of national intelligence shortly after Trump’s second term began. In this role, she oversaw the U.S. intelligence community, which comprises 18 agencies. Her tenure was characterized by occasional public disagreements with Trump and other administration officials, reflecting internal tensions. Notably, Gabbard’s anti-interventionist stance, including criticism of Trump’s Iran policy and her warning against escalating tensions between nuclear powers, drew sharp rebukes from the president. Her political journey has been unconventional, having endorsed Trump in 2024 on the grounds of his peace-seeking approach, while condemning Democratic President Joe Biden for conflicts initiated during his administration. Gabbard also attracted attention for her presence at an FBI raid on a Georgia election office related to the 2020 election records, a contentious issue tied to Trump’s unfounded claims of election fraud. Gabbard’s resignation adds to a growing list of senior officials who have left or been dismissed from the Trump administration this year, highlighting ongoing instability within the administration’s leadership ranks. Her departure underscores the personal toll public service can exact, particularly amid serious family health challenges.