'Only positive contribution’: Chuck Schumer, Adam Schiff slam Tulsi Gabbard after DNI resignation

WASHINGTON, DC: Senate Democrats, Chuck Schumer and Adam Schiff, sharply criticized Tulsi Gabbard’s record as Director of National Intelligence on Friday, May 22, just hours after she announced her resignation amid her husband’s serious health crisis.

While both lawmakers expressed sympathy for Gabbard’s family, they used the moment to renew concerns about her leadership of the intelligence community and to warn President Donald Trump about the selection of her successor. Gabbard said she would step down from the role effective June 30, citing the need to care for her husband, Abraham Williams, who was recently diagnosed with an extremely rare form of bone cancer. 

Adam Schiff calls Tulsi Gabbard’s resignation ‘only positive contribution’

Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif), one of Gabbard’s most vocal critics during her confirmation process, issued a forceful response shortly after the resignation became public. “My thoughts go out to Tulsi Gabbard and her family, as her husband battles this serious health problem. I hope and pray that he makes a speedy and full recovery,” Schiff wrote on X.

He then sharply criticized her tenure leading the intelligence community. “While the circumstances around her departure are deserving of our sympathy, let’s be clear: Tulsi Gabbard’s only positive contribution to our nation's national security is her resignation.”

Schiff accused Gabbard of politicizing intelligence operations and undermining key national security institutions during her time in office. “She politicized intelligence. She dismantled critical agencies keeping Americans safe. She weaponized the IC to pursue baseless election fraud claims. And more,” he wrote.

The California Democrat further argued that her leadership reflected loyalty to Trump rather than institutional independence. “We must ensure that her tenure, marked by a devotion to the person of the president and not to the security of the country, represents a terrible exception at DNI and not the new normal.”

Schiff had previously opposed Gabbard’s nomination, arguing during her confirmation hearings that she lacked the experience and judgment necessary to oversee the nation’s intelligence apparatus.

Chuck Schumer warns Trump against prioritizing loyalty in next DNI pick

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also responded to the resignation, pairing sympathy for Gabbard’s family with a warning directed at the White House. “My thoughts are with the Gabbard family as they face this difficult diagnosis, and I wish them strength in the days ahead,” Schumer wrote on X.

“But let’s be clear: Donald Trump must not treat this vacancy as another opportunity to reward loyalty over competence,” he added. “The DNI’s job is to protect the American people with facts, judgment, and independence, not to launder conspiracy theories or tell the President what he wants to hear.”

Schumer said Senate Democrats would oppose any nominee they believe places politics ahead of national security responsibilities. “Senate Democrats will fight any nominee who puts Trump’s politics ahead of America’s security,” he wrote.

Gabbard is the fourth Cabinet-level official to leave Trump’s administration, following the departures of former Attorney General Pam Bondi, former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and former Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer.