Intelligence chief Gabbard resigns to support husband's cancer treatment

2026-05-23

U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said on the 22nd that she will resign, explaining in a letter to President Donald Trump posted on X, formerly Twitter, that she wants to support her husband, who has been diagnosed with cancer.

To step down on June 30

The resignation will take effect on June 30. Trump praised Gabbard in a post on social media, saying she had done 'a great job'. Deputy Director of National Intelligence Aaron Lucas will serve as acting director for the time being.

May affect policy decisions

The Director of National Intelligence is responsible for bringing together intelligence from 18 U.S. government agencies, including the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and reporting classified information to support the president's policy decisions. Gabbard, however, told Congress that Iran was not producing nuclear weapons, a view that at times did not align with Trump's position.

Backed Trump after leaving Democrats

Gabbard once served as a Democratic member of the House of Representatives and ran in the Democratic primary in the 2020 presidential election. She left the party in 2022 and backed Trump in the 2024 presidential election. Known for her cautious stance on foreign military intervention, she was also reported to have been excluded from discussions inside the administration on planning for operations against Iran.

At odds with Iran assessment

In March this year, Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center and one of her subordinates, resigned after arguing that 'Iran did not pose an imminent threat to the United States' and opposing strikes on Iran. The Trump administration's cabinet turnover now stands at four, following the departures of Homeland Security Secretary Noem, Attorney General Bondi and Labor Secretary Delmer.

Enjoyed this article? Share it with your network!