Tulsi Gabbard is leaving her role as Director of National Intelligence after revealing her husband has been diagnosed with what she described as “an extremely rare form of bone cancer.”
Gabbard informed President Donald Trump of her decision during a meeting in the Oval Office on Friday, according to Fox News.
Her final day leading the Office of the Director of National Intelligence is expected to be June 30.
In a resignation letter obtained by the outlet, Gabbard said the decision came after her husband, Abraham, received the devastating diagnosis.
“Unfortunately, I must submit my resignation, effective June 30, 2026,” she wrote. “My husband, Abraham, has recently been diagnosed with an extremely rare form of bone cancer.”
She said the coming months will require her full attention as her husband faces treatment and recovery.
“Abraham has been my rock throughout our eleven years of marriage — standing steadfast through my deployment to East Africa on a Joint Special Operations mission, multiple political campaigns and now my service in this role,” Gabbard wrote.
“His strength and love have sustained me through every challenge,” she continued. “I cannot in good conscience ask him to face this fight alone while I continue in this demanding and time-consuming position.”
Gabbard thanked Trump for appointing her to lead the nation’s intelligence agencies and said she was grateful for the opportunity to serve.
“I am fully committed to ensuring a smooth and thorough transition over the coming weeks so that you and your team experience no disruption in leadership or momentum,” she wrote.
“Thank you for your understanding during this deeply personal and difficult time for our family.”
During her tenure as DNI, Gabbard oversaw major changes within the intelligence community.
Her office reduced staffing levels and cut spending, which officials said saved taxpayers more than $700 million annually. She also dismantled diversity, equity, and inclusion programs within the intelligence agencies.
Gabbard additionally spearheaded large-scale declassification efforts involving records tied to the Trump-Russia investigation, the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy, and documents connected to the origins of the “Crossfire Hurricane” probe.
She argued the records showed Obama administration officials politicized intelligence surrounding Russia’s interference in the 2016 election in an effort to undermine Trump’s victory.
Gabbard also launched what she called the first-ever “Weaponization Working Group,” designed to investigate alleged government overreach during the Biden administration.
Under her leadership, the National Counterterrorism Center reportedly blocked more than 10,000 individuals tied to narco-terrorism from entering the United States in 2025 and added more than 85,000 others to the terror watchlist.
In her closing remarks, Gabbard said she would always value her time in public service.
“I will remain forever grateful to you and to the American people for the profound honor of serving our nation as DNI,” she wrote.
