Tulsi Gabbard Resigns as Director of National Intelligence
Primary region US
Tags Policy · Security
Regions US
Tulsi Gabbard resigned as Director of National Intelligence on May 22, 2026, becoming the first Cabinet-level departure of President Trump's second administration. Gabbard, who was confirmed as DNI in February 2025 after previously serving as a Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii and 2020 presidential candidate, cited her husband's health as the reason for her departure. President Trump named Aaron Lukas as acting chief. Gabbard had been largely out of public view during recent US military operations. Her tenure was marked by significant restructuring of the intelligence community and controversy over the dismissal of senior officials.
Strategic interpretation
Gabbard's departure removes one of the most politically unconventional figures from Trump's inner circle and signals potential further turnover in national intelligence leadership. The appointment of Aaron Lukas as acting chief may signal a shift toward more traditional intelligence community management. The vacancy comes at a time of active US military operations, raising questions about continuity in intelligence coordination.