Tulsi Gabbard has tendered her resignation as Director of National Intelligence under the administration of Donald Trump. The 45-year-old Republican cited the need to support her husband, Abraham Williams, who is fighting an extremely rare form of bone cancer, as the reason for her departure.
Gabbard, a former Democratic presidential candidate in 2020 who later switched to the Republican party, is the fourth cabinet member to leave during Trump’s current term. Her resignation will be effective on June 30, as stated in a letter she shared on social media.
Acknowledging Gabbard’s service, Trump praised her work in a post on his Truth Social platform and announced that her principal deputy, Aaron Lukas, will step in as acting Director of National Intelligence.
In her resignation letter addressed to Trump, Gabbard expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and highlighted the need to prioritize her husband’s health as the driving force behind her decision to resign. She emphasized the importance of a smooth transition to ensure continuity in leadership within the intelligence community.
Gabbard’s departure comes amidst her husband’s health battle, with her focus shifting towards providing him with unwavering support during this challenging period. She expressed deep appreciation for the opportunity to serve the nation and thanked Trump and the American people for the honor.