Tulsi Gabbard steps down as DNI, cites husband’s cancer diagnosis, ‘not in good conscience’
WASHINGTON, DC: Tulsi Gabbard, on Friday, May 22, resigned from her role as Director of National Intelligence, marking a major leadership change in the intelligence community.
Gabbard reportedly informed President Donald Trump during a meeting at the White House and put out the formal resignation letter on her social media.
Today, with great humility and sincere appreciation, I shared the below letter with President Trump. It has been a profound honor to serve the American people as DNI. pic.twitter.com/iBi6eURzvE
— DNI Tulsi Gabbard (@DNIGabbard) May 22, 2026
Tulsi Gabbard resigns as DNI
Gabbard's departure is driven by a personal family health crisis involving her husband’s serious medical condition.
Gabbard’s resignation letter directly cites her husband, Abraham Williams, who has been diagnosed with an extremely rare form of bone cancer.
In the letter, she expresses gratitude for her time in office while explaining the emotional and practical reasons behind stepping away from her role.
She wrote, “I'm 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,” before formally confirming her intention to resign effective June 30, 2026.
SCOOP:
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) May 22, 2026
Tulsi Gabbard’s resignation from the Trump administration may be coming sooner than expected.
Source tells me, “it could be any day now… maybe even today.”
Gabbard opens up on husband's diagnosis
In the letter, Gabbard wrote that her husband is facing “major challenges in the coming weeks and months,” and said she must step away from public service to support him through treatment and recovery.
“At this time, I must step away from public service to be by his side and fully support him through this battle,” she stated in the letter.
She also described her husband as a central figure in her personal and professional life, referring to him as “my rock throughout our eleven years of marriage,” noting his support through military deployment, election campaigns and her role as DNI.
Gabbard added that she could not “in good conscience” continue in such a demanding national security position while her husband faces a serious health battle.
Gabbard has committed to ensuring a smooth transition process in the weeks leading up to her departure.
In her resignation letter, she emphasized the importance of continuity in leadership and said she would work to avoid any disruption within the intelligence community.
She also expressed appreciation to the administration and the public for the opportunity to serve, stating she would remain “forever grateful” for the role.
