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Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has announced her resignation, notifying President Donald Trump during an Oval Office meeting on Friday (May 22) in Washington, DC. Gabbard stated that she is stepping down to support her husband as he battles "an extremely rare form of bone cancer." Her last day in the role will be June 30.
This marks the fourth cabinet-level departure in President Trump's second administration, following exits by Attorney General Pam Bondi, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer. According to multiple reports, including an exclusive from the Guardian, there had been recent tensions between President Trump and Gabbard, particularly after her testimony regarding the administration’s approach to the ongoing war with Iran.
Gabbard’s resignation comes shortly after her top aide, Joe Kent, who served as director of the National Counterterrorism Center, stepped down in protest over the Iran conflict. Kent argued there was "no imminent threat" from Iran and criticized the rationale for military action, as reported by The Hill. His resignation and public statements led to pointed questions for Gabbard during recent congressional hearings.
During testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee, Gabbard was pressed by lawmakers about whether Iran truly posed an "imminent threat" to the United States, which President Trump had cited as justification for military strikes. Gabbard stated, "the only person who can determine what is and is not an imminent threat is the president," a response that drew criticism from some senators who argued it was her responsibility to provide an independent assessment from the intelligence community. Details of her testimony and the broader context were reported by ABC7.
Gabbard’s tenure was marked by moments of both support and tension with the White House. While she at times aligned with President Trump’s positions—such as in reports on Russian interference—she also faced criticism for her views on foreign policy and internal management decisions, including revoking security clearances without White House vetting.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Gabbard did "an incredible job" and announced Aaron Lukas as Acting Director of National Intelligence. The transition comes at a critical time, with ongoing military operations and continued debate in Washington over the administration’s national security strategy.