Tulsi Gabbard (archive photo/PTI)
US Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, announced on Friday that she will step down from her position to support her husband, who was recently diagnosed with an “extremely rare type of bone cancer.”She shared her resignation letter on X after Fox News first reported her decision to step down.
To thank Gabbard for her service, US President Donald Trump announced that Aaron Lucas will serve as interim Director of National Intelligence.
“Unfortunately, after doing an amazing job, Tulsi Gabbard will be leaving the administration on June 30. Her wonderful husband, Abraham, was recently diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer, and she truly wants to be with him, and nurse him back to good health as they are currently fighting a difficult battle together.
“I have no doubt that it will soon be better than ever.”Meanwhile, Reuters reported that the White House “forced” Gabbard to step down.
There had already been speculation that Gabbard might part ways with the Trump administration following the president’s decision to strike Iran, a move that sparked divisions within the administration.In March, Joe Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, resigned, saying he “could not in good conscience” support the war.
During a congressional hearing in March, Gabbard drew attention for her carefully worded remarks, which stopped short of fully endorsing Trump’s decision to attack Iran.She repeatedly sidestepped questions about whether the White House had been warned about the potential ramifications of the conflict, including Tehran’s actual closure of the Strait of Hormuz.In her written remarks before the Senate Intelligence Committee, Gabbard said Iran had made no effort to rebuild its nuclear capability after US attacks last year “wiped out” the country’s nuclear program.The statement appeared to contradict the president, who has repeatedly argued that the strikes were necessary to prevent an imminent threat from the Islamic Republic.
