Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence (DNI), is stepping down from her post after informing President Donald Trump that her husband has been diagnosed with a rare and serious form of bone cancer, according to a resignation letter obtained by multiple outlets.
Gabbard said her final day leading the Office of the Director of National Intelligence will be June 30.
According to her resignation letter, Gabbard told the president during an Oval Office meeting that her husband, Abraham Williams, is facing “an extremely rare form of bone cancer” that will require her full attention in the months ahead.
She wrote that continuing in one of the most demanding roles in the U.S. intelligence community would not be possible while he undergoes treatment.
“At this time, I must step away from public service to be by his side and fully support him through this battle,” she wrote on X.
She also thanked President Trump for the opportunity to serve as DNI and noted that significant progress had been made during her tenure.
Fox News Digital reported that Gabbard described her husband as her “rock,” citing his support throughout her military service, political career, and time in government.
In her letter, she emphasized that Williams has been a steady presence in her life and said she could not continue in office “in good conscience” while he faces a serious medical fight.
Abraham Williams, a cinematographer, has largely remained out of the political spotlight.
He and Gabbard first met during her 2012 congressional campaign, where he worked as a volunteer photographer. The relationship developed over time, and the couple married in 2015.
According to Newsweek, Williams’ diagnosis has significantly shifted the couple’s immediate priorities as they prepare for an intensive period of treatment and care.
During her tenure as DNI, Gabbard oversaw major structural changes within the intelligence community, including cost-cutting measures and internal reorganizations, according to Fox News Digital.
Reports indicated she reduced agency spending by more than $700 million annually and implemented reforms aimed at streamlining intelligence operations.
The outlet also reported that Gabbard expanded declassification efforts, releasing hundreds of thousands of pages of government records related to past intelligence investigations and historical events.
Supporters of the effort described it as part of a broader push for transparency across the intelligence community.
Gabbard’s tenure included policy disagreements and internal friction with some intelligence officials over operational direction and coordination.
Despite those challenges, she remained in office until announcing her voluntary resignation, which will make her the fourth Cabinet-level departure under President Trump’s administration, according to NBC News.
Gabbard’s political background has been widely noted throughout her career.
A former Democratic congresswoman who later broke with her party and aligned with President Trump, she has been a consistent critic of U.S. military interventions overseas and has occasionally differed with intelligence and defense officials on foreign policy assessments.
During her Senate confirmation process, Gabbard faced questioning from some lawmakers and criticism from former intelligence officials, while other senators and supporters defended her record and approach to foreign policy.
She was ultimately confirmed in a narrow Senate vote.
In her resignation letter, Gabbard expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve as DNI and pointed to progress made during her tenure, while acknowledging that “there is still important work to be done.”
The ODNI has not yet announced a permanent successor. The administration is expected to appoint an acting director in the coming weeks as the transition process moves forward.
