Tulsi Gabbard Resigns as Director of National Intelligence
Tulsi Gabbard has informed President Donald Trump that she will resign from her position as Director of National Intelligence, with her departure set for June 30.
According to reports, Gabbard’s standing with the Trump administration has fluctuated in recent months. Last year, Trump openly questioned her decision-making regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions. In her letter to the president, she expressed her gratitude, stating, “I am deeply thankful for the trust you have shown in me and for the chance to lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence during the past year and a half.”
“Tulsi did an amazing job and we will miss her,” was the president’s response.
In her communication, Gabbard mentioned that her husband, Abraham, was recently diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer. She noted that he is facing many challenges ahead. Gabbard, a former congresswoman from Hawaii, married cinematographer Abraham Williams in 2015. Williams has worked on various projects, including documentaries and commercials for Gabbard’s 2020 presidential run.
She emphasized, “At this time, I must step away from public life to support him through this struggle. Abraham has been my rock during our eleven years of marriage, remaining steadfast through our joint special operations mission in East Africa, various political campaigns, and while I served in this role.”
Gabbard’s resignation letter acknowledged the “significant progress” made during her tenure at ODNI, which she claimed had promoted unprecedented transparency and restored integrity to the intelligence community.
For instance, she mentioned her efforts to reveal the origins of the Russian hoax and noted that security clearances for several officials involved in the Russiagate investigations had been revoked. She also referenced investigations into questionable biolabs funded by American taxpayers abroad and made strides in clarifying the dubious basis for Trump’s impeachment in 2019. Gabbard stated she had worked to “clean out” the ODNI, dismissing several individuals she described as part of the deep state.
Despite her achievements, Gabbard acknowledged there is still work to be done. “I remain dedicated to ensuring a seamless transition in the upcoming weeks to maintain momentum for the leadership and the teams,” she said.
In closing, she expressed her enduring gratitude to both the president and the American people for the honor of serving as DNI.
President Trump expressed regret over her exit, noting his belief in Williams’s recovery, saying Gabbard would be missed and that Aaron Lucas, the Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence, would take on the role of acting DNI.
Gabbard’s resignation follows closely after the resignation of Joe Kent, a senior aide who left his position at the National Counterterrorism Center in objection to policies from the Trump administration regarding Iran.
