...
By Amanda Castro
Associate News Editor
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
President Donald Trump praised Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard, who announced her resignation on Friday, on Truth Social, saying that she's done "a great job" during her time in the position. Gabbard cited a severe family medical crisis as the reason for her departure.
In a resignation letter submitted toTrump during an Oval Office meeting, Gabbard disclosed that her husband, Abraham Williams, has been diagnosed with an extremely rare form of bone cancer.
Gabbard’s departure from her post as the nation's top intelligence official will take effect on June 30.
Read More on News
In her letter, Gabbard thanked the president for the opportunity to lead the intelligence community and explained that her husband now faces a difficult medical fight requiring her full attention. She wrote that she could not continue in such a demanding role while he undergoes treatment.
Why Did Tulsi Gabbard Resign?
Gabbard’s decision to step down as DNI stems from a deeply personal crisis inside her family, one she detailed directly in her resignation letter.
In the letter dated May 22, 2026, Gabbard wrote that Williams had been diagnosed with “an extremely rare form of bone cancer,” a development she said would require her full attention in the months ahead. “He faces major challenges in the coming weeks and months,” she told the president, adding that she could not continue in “this demanding and time‑consuming position” while he undergoes treatment.
Gabbard emphasized that Williams has been her “rock” throughout their marriage—supporting her through deployments, political campaigns, and her tenure leading the intelligence community. She wrote that she could not “in good conscience” allow him to face the illness without her by his side. The letter also acknowledged the progress she believes the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) has made under her leadership, including efforts to increase transparency and restore public trust, but she noted that family must take precedence.
Who is Abraham Williams, Tulsi Gabbard’s Husband?
Williams, a cinematographer, has long been a steady presence in Gabbard’s public and political life, appearing beside her in Instagram photos and campaign imagery years before she became DNI. The two first met during Gabbard’s 2012 run for Congress, when Williams volunteered as a photographer on her campaign and shot many of the images that helped introduce her to voters. Their friendship deepened over the next year, and a birthday gathering hosted by a mutual friend finally gave them the chance to connect outside the pressures of politics. They married in 2015.
Williams shared Gabbard’s love of the outdoors from the beginning. The couple bonded over hikes, long walks, and even a pickup volleyball game on their first date, but it was their shared connection to the ocean that ultimately brought them closest. They now own property in Leander, Texas, according to documents reviewed by Newsweek.
What Type of Cancer Does Tulsi Gabbard's Husband Have?
Gabbard's husband was diagnosed with "an extremely rare form of bone cancer," and though it wasn't specified, rare bone cancers originate in the bone or surrounding cartilage and are considered primary bone cancers, a group so uncommon that they account for less than 1% of all cancer cases.
While most primary bone cancers fall into three major types — osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, and chondrosarcoma — several highly uncommon variants can also occur, each affecting different tissues and parts of the skeleton.
Among the rarest is chordoma, a slow‑growing tumor that forms along the spine, often at the base of the skull or tailbone. Adamantinoma, another exceptionally rare malignancy, typically appears in the shinbone. Other aggressive forms include fibrosarcoma and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, which arise from connective tissue near the ends of bones rather than bone‑forming cells.
Some cancers originate in the bone marrow itself, such as primary lymphoma of bone, a form of non‑Hodgkin’s lymphoma that often develops in the thigh or pelvis. Even tumors that are usually benign — such as chondromyxoid fibroma or giant cell tumor — can occasionally behave aggressively or become malignant.
What Did Trump Say About Tulsi Gabbard's Resignation?
Trump publicly praised Gabbard after she announced she would leave her role as DNI to support her husband, who is battling what Trump described as “a rare form of bone cancer.” In a statement posted to his account, Trump said Gabbard had “done an incredible job” leading the intelligence community and emphasized that her decision to step away was the right one for her family.
Trump wrote that Gabbard “rightfully wants to be with him” as Williams undergoes treatment, adding that he has “no doubt he will soon be better than ever.” The president called the couple’s situation a “tough battle” and expressed confidence in her chosen successor, noting that Principal Deputy DNI Aaron Lukas will serve as acting director once Gabbard departs.
Who is Tulsi Gabbard's Replacement, Aaron Lukas?
With Director of National Intelligence Gabbard stepping down at the end of June, her longtime deputy Aaron Lukas is set to take over in an acting capacity.
Lukas, an Arkansas native and graduate of Texas A&M and The George Washington University, brings more than two decades of national security experience to the role. A former CIA Chief of Station, he has overseen sensitive clandestine programs, managed global liaison relationships, and is certified in the agency’s most advanced tradecraft. His background includes covert operations across multiple regions, supported by foreign‑language expertise and years of fieldwork.
Inside Washington, Lukas is known for his organizational command of the intelligence bureaucracy. He previously served as Chief of Staff at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, where he helped shape internal reforms, and later worked on the National Security Council, coordinating foreign and security policy across federal agencies.
Colleagues describe him as someone who understands the intelligence enterprise from the ground up — from collection to analysis to interagency coordination. As principal deputy, he worked closely with Gabbard on efforts to streamline the intelligence community, increase transparency, and reduce bureaucratic drag.
Now, as he steps into the acting DNI role, Lukas is expected to continue those priorities while ensuring stability across the nation’s 18 intelligence agencies. According to the administration, he is “honored” to take on the responsibility and views the position as a continuation of his commitment to public service.
Gabbard’s Tenure at ODNI
During her year-and-a-half tenure as DNI, Gabbard instituted sweeping structural reforms focused on transparency and operational efficiency. Her administration downsized the core intelligence apparatus, resulting in over $700 million in annual cost savings, and dismantled Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs across the intelligence community.
Additionally, Gabbard oversaw the declassification of more than 500,000 pages of government records. These included files related to the Trump‑Russia investigation, the assassinations of John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy, and the origins of the Crossfire Hurricane probe. Gabbard frequently asserted that these disclosures exposed the politicization of intelligence during previous administrations.
What is Tulsi Gabbard's Net Worth?
Gabbard’s net worth is estimated to fall between $55 million and $127 million, a wide range driven largely by the value of her real estate holdings in Texas. Her financial disclosures show that the bulk of her wealth comes from three apartment complexes in Katy, Stafford, and Austin, which make up the core of her investment portfolio, ABC News reported in 2025.
Beyond real estate, Gabbard’s income has diversified significantly in recent years. She has earned money through media and speaking engagements, podcast advertising, and the advance for her book For Love of Country: Leave the Democrat Party Behind. Additional revenue flows through her business entities, including Tulsi Media LLC and TOA Studios LLC.
Gabbard also maintains a broad investment profile. Her disclosures list holdings in major companies such as Tesla, Apple, Nvidia, and the video platform Rumble, as well as positions in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Solana, along with a mix of index funds.
...
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines