President Donald Trump said Friday that Aaron Lukas, the principal deputy director of national intelligence, will serve as acting director after Tulsi Gabbard leaves the administration at the end of June.
“Tulsi has done an incredible job, and we will miss her,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post, saying her decision to step down is tied to her husband’s illness.
Gabbard announced she is resigning as director of national intelligence effective June 30, saying her husband was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer and she is stepping away to be with him.
Gabbard advised Trump of her intent during an Oval Office meeting Friday, Fox News Digital reported. A source familiar with the matter said Gabbard was forced out by the White House.
In a resignation letter posted on X, Gabbard thanked Trump for the role and said she was leaving to support her husband during his treatment.
I am deeply grateful for the trust President Trump placed in me and for the opportunity to lead @ODNIgov for the last year and a half.
Unfortunately, I must submit my resignation, effective June 30, 2026. My husband, Abraham, has recently been diagnosed with an extremely rare… pic.twitter.com/PS0Dxp5zpd
— Tulsi Gabbard 🌺 (@TulsiGabbard) May 22, 2026
“I cannot in good conscience ask him to face this fight alone while I continue in this demanding and time-consuming post,” she wrote.
Donald Trump said Lukas will take over on an interim basis as the administration prepares for Gabbard’s departure. Lukas currently serves as the principal deputy director of national intelligence.
Trump has also hinted publicly at policy differences with Gabbard in the past, including on Iran, saying in March that she was “softer” than him on curbing Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
In his post Friday, Trump praised Gabbard’s tenure again and said she wants to focus on her family as they face a serious medical battle.
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