Donald Trump announced Friday that Aaron Lukas will serve as acting director of national intelligence following the departure of Tulsi Gabbard at the end of June. Trump shared the update in a post on Truth Social, praising Gabbard for her service and describing her tenure as successful.
Gabbard confirmed that she will step down from her position effective June 30 in order to focus on her family. In a resignation letter shared publicly, she explained that her husband had recently been diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer and that she wanted to support him during treatment. Gabbard said the responsibilities of the intelligence role made it difficult to balance her professional duties with family needs during the medical situation.
According to reports, Gabbard informed Trump of her decision during a meeting in the Oval Office on Friday. While some reports suggested there may have been tensions inside the administration regarding her departure, Trump publicly thanked her for her work and expressed support for her decision to prioritize her family. The administration has not announced a permanent replacement for the position.
Aaron Lukas, who currently serves as principal deputy director of national intelligence, will temporarily assume leadership responsibilities while the White House considers long-term options. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence plays a central role in coordinating intelligence operations and national security assessments across multiple federal agencies.
Gabbard’s tenure included involvement in several major foreign policy and national security discussions. Trump had previously acknowledged occasional policy disagreements with her, including differences in approach regarding Iran and nuclear policy. Despite those disagreements, Trump’s latest statement emphasized appreciation for her service and leadership.
The transition comes during an active period for U.S. intelligence and national security operations, with the administration expected to continue evaluating leadership positions in the coming months. Gabbard’s resignation has drawn attention from political observers, who noted her unique role in the administration and her influence on national security debates during her time in office.