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Judge blocks Trump from closing East Potomac Park golf course for now Trump asks Supreme Court to curb judges' power to void unlawful rules nationwide On tape: Richard Blumenthal says the Trump administration let $190 million in anti-human trafficking grants lapse On tape: Rep. Chip Roy, a Republican, on the House floor: the president never asked Congress before sending troops… Massie to force new House vote to end Trump's Iran war before he leaves in January Over 200 Democrats ask appeals court to strike down VA's abortion ban for veterans Kushner says U.S. is brokering Europe-Russia talks and planning next Ukraine round Blumenthal says Lutnick 'must go' over stalled Nvidia chip blacklist for Megaspeed NBC says Democrat Mary Peltola likely to beat Sen. Dan Sullivan in Alaska On tape: Hakeem Jeffries: Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick could face Intel Committee subpoenas over Nvidia scandal Judge blocks Trump from closing East Potomac Park golf course for now Trump asks Supreme Court to curb judges' power to void unlawful rules nationwide On tape: Richard Blumenthal says the Trump administration let $190 million in anti-human trafficking grants lapse On tape: Rep. Chip Roy, a Republican, on the House floor: the president never asked Congress before sending troops… Massie to force new House vote to end Trump's Iran war before he leaves in January Over 200 Democrats ask appeals court to strike down VA's abortion ban for veterans Kushner says U.S. is brokering Europe-Russia talks and planning next Ukraine round Blumenthal says Lutnick 'must go' over stalled Nvidia chip blacklist for Megaspeed NBC says Democrat Mary Peltola likely to beat Sen. Dan Sullivan in Alaska On tape: Hakeem Jeffries: Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick could face Intel Committee subpoenas over Nvidia scandal
Tulsi Gabbard
Photo: Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Public domain

The Administration · Out the door

Tulsi Gabbard

Former Director of National Intelligence Out the door

Former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii who led the intelligence agencies for 16 months, was at odds with Trump over Iran, and resigned in mid-2026 citing her husband's illness.

Why they left: She announced her resignation on May 22, 2026, saying she needed to care for her husband after his cancer diagnosis; her exit, first set for June 30, was moved up to June 19 after a conversation with Trump. 2 4 Now: No new role had been reported in the sources reviewed.

Biography

Tulsi Gabbard was born in American Samoa and raised in Hawaii, where she was elected to the state legislature at 21. She joined the Hawaii Army National Guard, deployed to Iraq and Kuwait, and represented Hawaii in the U.S. House as a Democrat from 2013 to 2021. 1 She ran for president in 2020, left the Democratic Party in 2022, became a Fox News contributor and endorsed Trump in August 2024. 1 2

The Senate confirmed her as director of national intelligence 52-48 on February 12, 2025; she had no prior intelligence-agency experience. 1 2 She oversaw a sharp cut in the intelligence workforce, challenged earlier findings about Russia and the 2016 election, and appeared at an FBI search of election offices in Fulton County, Georgia. 2 Trump publicly said she was wrong about Iran's nuclear program in June 2025. 2

She announced on May 22, 2026 that she would resign, and left on June 19. 2 4 Trump named housing-finance chief Bill Pulte acting director, and Jay Clayton took over on August 3, 2026. 5 7

In the job

What happened while Tulsi held the post.

  1. Told lawmakers that U.S. intelligence did not show Iran was seeking a nuclear weapon. After the U.S. struck Iranian nuclear sites in June 2025, Trump said she was wrong (month of testimony approximate; AP says early 2025). 2

  2. Fired National Intelligence Council officials after the council produced a report contradicting administration claims that Venezuela's government worked with the Tren de Aragua gang. 3

  3. Appeared at an FBI search of election offices in Fulton County, Georgia, drawing objections from Democrats who said her office deals with foreign threats. 1 2 3

  4. At a congressional hearing after the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, 2026, she declined to endorse the strikes and said it was the president's decision. 2

  5. Posted her resignation letter, effective June 30, 2026. 2 3

  6. Left office early after a conversation with Trump; Bill Pulte served as acting director. 4 5

Disputes, and their side

What critics, courts or investigators have said, and the answer given. An allegation is not a finding.

  1. An intelligence-community whistleblower alleged earlier in 2026 that she withheld intelligence for political reasons, and Democrats called for her resignation, the AP reported. 2

    Their side: No public response found in the sources reviewed.

  2. In written testimony to the Senate Intelligence Committee she said Iran had made no effort to rebuild its nuclear program after U.S. strikes, which the AP noted contradicted Trump's statements that Iran posed an imminent threat. 2

    Their side: She told senators it is not the intelligence community's job to decide what counts as an imminent threat. 2

Career

  1. Member, Hawaii House of Representatives
  2. Hawaii Army National Guard, later U.S. Army Reserve (lieutenant colonel from 2021); deployed to Iraq 2004-2005 and Kuwait 2008-2009
  3. Member, Honolulu City Council
  4. U.S. Representative for Hawaii's 2nd district (Democrat)
  5. Vice chair, Democratic National Committee
  6. Candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination
  7. Fox News contributor; left the Democratic Party in October 2022
  8. Director of National Intelligence

Our reporting

We have not yet published a story that names Tulsi Gabbard. When we do, it will appear here.

Sources for this file

  1. Wikipedia, Tulsi Gabbard, Nov. 13, 2026
  2. AP (via PBS NewsHour), Tulsi Gabbard resigns as Trump's national intelligence director, May 22, 2026
  3. Al Jazeera, Tulsi Gabbard resigns as Trump's top US intelligence official, May 22, 2026
  4. Hawaii News Now, Tulsi Gabbard exits role as director of national intelligence, June 19, 2026
  5. The National News Desk (WTVC), Trump names housing finance chief Pulte as acting intelligence director after Gabbard, June 2, 2026
  6. Scripps News, Limited experience, policy disagreements mark Tulsi Gabbard's DNI tenure, May 2026
  7. Wikipedia, Second cabinet of Donald Trump, Nov. 13, 2026

File checked Nov. 13, 2026. Something wrong or out of date? Tell the desk.