Tulsi Gabbard Resigns As Director Of National Intelligence—After Contradicting Trump On Iran War
Key takeaways
- Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard stands after President Donald Trump spoke about the Iran war from the Cross Hall of the White House on April 1, 2026 in Washington, DC.
- Trump told reporters “I don’t care what she said,” and on another occasion, “she’s wrong” in response to her assessment on Iran.
- Gabbard was excluded from Iran war discussions at the start and was also left out of planning on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s capture, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Topline Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard is leaving the Trump administration, the latest in a recent string of high-profile exits among Trump Cabinet members after Gabbard was reportedly iced out of operations regarding the Iran war.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard stands after President Donald Trump spoke about the Iran war from the Cross Hall of the White House on April 1, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Alex Brandon-Pool/Getty Images)Getty Images Key Facts It’s unclear whether she resigned voluntarily or was forced out—Reuters reported Gabbard was forced out, while she posted a resignation letter that said she was leaving to care for her husband, who had been diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer.
President Donald Trump said on Truth Social Gabbard would remain in her post until June 30 and be replaced in the interim by Deputy Director of National Intelligence Aaron Lukas, while also citing her husband’s recent cancer diagnosis and saying that Gabbard was “unfortunately, after having done a great job . . . leaving the administration.”