Tulsi Gabbard has resigned as President Donald Trump’s Director of National Intelligence, saying she must step away to support her husband after a diagnosis of a rare bone cancer. In her letter, she said she will leave office on 30 June. Principal deputy Aaron Lukas is set to serve as acting DNI.
International
-Sathish Raman
Tulsi Gabbard resigned as President Donald Trumps director of national intelligence on Friday. Tulsi Gabbard said the decision was driven by a family health crisis. Tulsi Gabbard became the fourth Cabinet official to exit during Trumps second term. Aaron Lukas will serve as acting director of national intelligence, Trump said.
Tulsi Gabbard has resigned as President Donald Trump’s Director of National Intelligence, saying she must step away to support her husband after a diagnosis of a rare bone cancer. In her letter, she said she will leave office on 30 June. Principal deputy Aaron Lukas is set to serve as acting DNI.
In a resignation letter posted on social media, Tulsi Gabbard said the departure date was set. Tulsi Gabbard wrote that Trump was told she would leave office on June 30. Tulsi Gabbard said her husband was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer. The letter said major challenges lay ahead.
Tulsi Gabbard resignation and Trump response
Tulsi Gabbard wrote, “At this time, I must step away from public service to be by his side and fully support him through this battle,\” Fox News reported. Trump posted his own message online. Trump wrote, \”Tulsi has done an incredible job, and we will miss her.\” Trump said Aaron Lukas would take over in an acting role.
Aaron Lukas previously worked in Trumps first term. In 2020, Aaron Lukas served as an intelligence aide to acting director Ric Grenell. Aaron Lukas was also a policy analyst at the Cato Institute. In Trumps final previous year, Aaron Lukas served at the National Security Council. That role covered Europe and Russia.
Tulsi Gabbard resignation linked to Iran tensions
There had been rumblings that Tulsi Gabbard would split with Trump over Iran. The presidents decision to strike Iran caused division inside the administration. The US joined Israel in attacks on Iran on February 28. Tulsi Gabbard had built a profile opposing foreign wars. That record left Tulsi Gabbard in an awkward position.
During a congressional hearing in March, Tulsi Gabbards comments drew attention. The remarks avoided endorsing Trumps strike decision. Tulsi Gabbard sidestepped questions about warnings on possible fallout. Lawmakers asked about Irans effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Tulsi Gabbard did not directly answer those questions.
Tulsi Gabbard also submitted written remarks to the Senate Intelligence Committee. Tulsi Gabbard said Iran made no effort to rebuild nuclear capability. The remarks said US attacks last year obliterated its nuclear program. That line differed from Trump’s repeated claims. Trump said war was needed to stop an imminent threat.
That difference led to tense moments with lawmakers. Members asked Tulsi Gabbard about the Iran threat as top intelligence official. Tulsi Gabbard kept pointing to presidential authority. Tulsi Gabbard said, \”It is not the intelligence communitys responsibility to determine what is and is not an imminent threat,\” during the exchanges.
Tulsi Gabbard resignation adds to Cabinet departures
Tulsi Gabbards exit followed other shake-ups in Trumps team. Trump ousted Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in late March. The move came amid criticism of Kristi Noems leadership. Concerns included the immigration crackdown and disaster response. Attorney General Pam Bondi later resigned over Epstein file handling.
Labour Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer also resigned in April. The departure followed various misconduct investigations. Separately, Joe Kent resigned in March as National Counterterrorism Center director. Joe Kent said he could not support the war. Those departures formed a backdrop to Tulsi Gabbards own decision.
Tulsi Gabbard resignation follows unusual ODNI appointment
Tulsi Gabbard was a veteran but lacked intelligence experience. That made the appointment to lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence a surprise. The office oversees 18 intelligence agencies. Tulsi Gabbard ran for president in 2020 on a progressive platform. The campaign stressed opposition to foreign conflicts.
Tulsi Gabbard argued US wars in the Middle East harmed security. Tulsi Gabbard said the wars destabilised the region and cost lives. Tulsi Gabbard later ended the presidential bid. Tulsi Gabbard endorsed President Joe Biden, the eventual winner. Two years later, Tulsi Gabbard left the Democratic Party to become independent.
Tulsi Gabbard said the party was led by an elitist cabal of warmongers and woke ideologues. Tulsi Gabbard then campaigned for several high-profile Republicans. Tulsi Gabbard also became a Fox News contributor. Tulsi Gabbard later endorsed Trump. Trump had criticised past wars and opposed nation-building.
Tulsi Gabbard resignation after clashes and domestic focus
Friction started early in Trumps second term, after the ODNI selection. The ODNI was created after September 11, 2001. Its purpose was to improve coordination across intelligence agencies. Shortly after taking the job, Tulsi Gabbard testified on Iran. Tulsi Gabbard said no intelligence showed Iran sought nuclear weapons.
After Trump launched attacks on Iranian nuclear sites in June, Trump rejected that view. Trump said Tulsi Gabbard was wrong and he did not care. Later, Tulsi Gabbard appeared closer to Trump again. Tulsi Gabbard took a lead role in efforts to relitigate the 2020 election loss. Tulsi Gabbard had previously endorsed Biden.
Tulsi Gabbard appeared at an FBI search in Fulton County, Georgia. The search involved election offices. The ODNI, however, was designed for foreign espionage work. Critics noted that state elections were outside that focus. The appearance added to questions about how the office was being used.
Tulsi Gabbard resignation after ODNI changes and whistleblower claim
Tulsi Gabbard promised to remove what was called politicisation of intelligence. Yet Tulsi Gabbard used the office to support Trumps claim about 2020. Tulsi Gabbard also worked to undermine prior probes into Trumps Russia ties. Over one year, Tulsi Gabbard reduced the intelligence workforce sharply. A new task force was created for major service changes.
Earlier this year, an intelligence whistleblower filed a complaint. The complaint said Tulsi Gabbard was withholding intelligence for political reasons. Democrats then called for Tulsi Gabbards resignation. Personal details were also noted in public profiles. Tulsi Gabbard, 44, was born in American Samoa, raised in Hawaii, and lived in the Philippines for a year.
Tulsi Gabbard entered politics early in Hawaii. Tulsi Gabbard was elected at 21 to Hawaiis House of Representatives. Tulsi Gabbard left after one term when a National Guard unit deployed to Iraq. Tulsi Gabbard was the first Hindu member of the House. Tulsi Gabbard used the Bhagavad Gita for the oath.
Tulsi Gabbard was also the first American Samoan elected to Congress. Over four House terms, Tulsi Gabbard often challenged party leadership. Support for Sen. Bernie Sanders in the 2016 Democratic primary raised Tulsi Gabbards national profile. Tulsi Gabbards resignation now shifts attention to Aaron Lukas and the acting leadership of the intelligence office.
With inputs from PTI
