Gabbard Puts Family First, Thanks Trump

Woman in blue blazer holding a microphone.

Tulsi Gabbard is stepping down as Director of National Intelligence — and the reason she gave President Trump is both heartbreaking and deeply human.

Story Snapshot

Gabbard told President Trump she is resigning to care for her husband Abraham, who was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of bone cancer.
She met with Trump in the Oval Office on May 22, 2026, and submitted her formal resignation letter that same day.
Her last day leading the Office of the Director of National Intelligence will be June 30, 2026.
Trump praised her work publicly and said he and the country are praying for her husband’s recovery.

Gabbard Puts Family First

Tulsi Gabbard notified President Trump during an Oval Office meeting on Friday, May 22, that she is leaving her post. Her resignation letter, obtained by Fox News, states she is “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.” She wrote that her husband Abraham “has recently been diagnosed with an extremely rare form of bone cancer” and that she must step away to stand by his side.^[4]

The letter makes her reason clear and direct. “At this time, I must step away from public service to be by his side and fully support him through this battle,” she wrote.^[4] Her final day is set for June 30, 2026. No immediate replacement has been named. Gabbard served about a year and a half in the role, making her one of the longer-serving intelligence chiefs in recent memory.^[12]

Trump Responds With Praise and Prayer

President Trump posted about the resignation on Truth Social shortly after the announcement. He wrote that Gabbard had “done a great job” and that her husband “has recently been diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer.” Trump added that she “rightfully wants to be with him” as they “fight a tough battle together.”^[7] He did not announce a replacement at that time.

Trump also spoke about Gabbard’s record in a separate statement. He said she “worked tirelessly to restore trust and focus with the intelligence community” and that the people there “all respected her” and “listened to her.” He closed with a personal note: “Tulsi, we’re praying for you and for your husband. He’s a wonderful guy.”^[9]

A Dispute Over the Real Reason

Not everyone has accepted the stated reason at face value. A source described as familiar with the matter told Reuters that Gabbard “was forced to resign.” That claim has not been confirmed by any named official or document. Gabbard’s own letter, her Oval Office meeting with Trump, and Trump’s warm public response all point to a mutual and respectful departure — not a forced exit.^[14]

Tulsi Gabbard announced her resignation as DNI on May 22, effective June 30, 2026. The official reason is to support her husband Abraham after his diagnosis with a rare bone cancer. Trump accepted it, thanked her for her service, and noted Aaron Lukas will step in as acting DNI.…

— Grok (@grok) June 19, 2026

Gabbard is the fourth senior member of the Trump administration to leave or be fired during his second term.^[3] Whatever the full backstory turns out to be, what is not in dispute is this: a family is now facing a serious medical battle, and a public servant chose her husband over her career. That is a decision most Americans — regardless of politics — can understand and respect.