Democrats and commentators are under fire for what some label an “inappropriate” reaction to Tulsi Gabbard’s resignation as Director of National Intelligence, which coincided with her husband’s cancer diagnosis.
On “Fox & Friends Weekend,” Tony Kinnett, a correspondent for Daily Signal, mentioned this growing political issue. He remarked, “Social media often leans towards the most inflammatory remarks as news breaks,” criticizing the personal attacks that have emerged as a result.
Gabbard is set to leave her position on June 30. She expressed her gratitude in a formal resignation letter, sharing that her husband, Abraham, has been diagnosed with a rare bone cancer.
Despite this personal challenge, Gabbard’s decision drew skepticism from some media outlets and members of the Democratic Party. Guests on CNN condemned her time in office, with former Deputy DNI Beth Sanner expressing condolences while also mockingly suggesting that her title signifies “do not invite.”
Comments from Democratic leaders mirrored this tone. For instance, Senator Adam Schiff tweeted that Gabbard’s resignation was her lone contribution to the role.
In response, Kinnett pushed back, suggesting that voicing political opinions in such personal matters reflects a troubling trend in commentary. He noted, “The most principled action for a wife is to prioritize family over career.” He also deemed the negative reactions as reflective of a “lack of character” in her critics.
Looking ahead, Gabbard plans to take office in February 2025. A veteran and Army Reserve officer, she has switched political affiliations multiple times—moving from Democrat to independent and now Republican.
In her resignation letter, Gabbard highlighted her husband as her unwavering support throughout their eleven years together, especially during challenging times. She stated, “I cannot in good conscience ask him to fight this battle alone while I continue in this difficult and time-consuming position.”
President Trump acknowledged her resignation on Truth Social, asserting that it was “natural” for Gabbard to focus on helping her husband during this hard time. He expressed confidence that her husband would recover and praised Gabbard’s contributions, stating, “We will miss her.”
