Tulsi Gabbard will resign as director of national intelligence effective June 30, becoming the fourth Cabinet-level departure in weeks. Her resignation letter to President Donald Trump cites her husband Abraham’s diagnosis with an extremely rare form of bone cancer and states she must step away from public service to support him. Trump confirmed the resignation and said Aaron Lukas, her principal deputy director, will succeed her as acting DNI. Gabbard’s exit followed rumors that she could be removed, including reports that Trump polled Cabinet members about firing her after her refusal to criticize former aide Joe Kent. Other recent departures included Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi, both described as involuntary firings amid controversy.
"He faces major challenges in the coming weeks and months. At this time, I must step away from public service to be by his side and fully support him through this battle."
"Trump himself later shared the letter on Truth Social, confirming the news of Gabbard's exit and that Aaron Lukas, her principal deputy director, will succeed her as acting DNI. "Tulsi has done an incredible job, and we will miss her," he said."
"While Gabbard's announcement landed as a surprise on Friday afternoon, the former Hawaii representative was frequently at the center of rumors that she might be the next Trump official ousted from the administration. Last month, The Guardian reported that the president had polled other members of his Cabinet about firing Gabbard as intelligence chief, citing her refusal to criticize her onetime aide Joe Kent, who lambasted the White House for its handling of the Iran war in his resignation from a top counterterrorism role."
"Gabbard is now the fourth member of Trump's Cabinet to leave the administration, though her former colleagues' departures were far from voluntary. In April, Trump fired Kristi Noem after her tumultuous tenure leading the Department of Homeland Security through the president's controversial immigration crackdown. That same month, the president also fired Attorney General Pam Bondi, who faced criticism for her handling of the release of the government's Jeffrey Epstein files as well"
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