US Intelligence Chief Gabbard Resigns to Care for Husband

His strength and love have sustained me through every challenge," she wrote in her resignation letter obtained by CBS News, the BBC's US partner. "I cannot in good conscience ask him to face this fight alone while I continue in this demanding and time-consuming position.

President Donald Trump said in a social media post that Gabbard "has done an incredible job, and we will miss her".

Gabbard, a loyal supporter of Trump during his 2024 presidential campaign, was confirmed as one of the most powerful figures in US intelligence-gathering weeks after he returned to the White House in 2025. But this year, she has largely been out of public view as the US has taken military action against Iran, put pressure on Cuba, and notably removed Venezuela's president.

Gabbard is the fourth Cabinet member to leave the Trump administration after Lori Chavez-DeRemer left her position as labor secretary in April. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi both left the administration earlier this year.

Trump posted on social media that Gabbard "rightfully, wants to be with him, bringing him back to good health as they currently fight a tough battle together. I have no doubt he will soon be better than ever."

During her political career, she has positioned herself as an anti-interventionalist in foreign wars, creating tension after Trump decided to enter a war with Iran. Following US-Israel strikes on Iran, she avoided endorsing the decision, carefully evading questions during a congressional hearing in March about whether the administration knew of the conflict's potential fallout.

Under her leadership, the intelligence community has reduced in size, and has been marked by allegations she concealed intelligence from Congress and politicized the office.

Two years later, she left the Democratic party and later endorsed Trump in 2024. She campaigned with Trump and was a member of his transition team after the election.