Trump's Intelligence Chief, 45, Just Resigned to Care for Husband With 'Extremely Rare' Bone Cancer
Tulsi Gabbard is stepping away to be with her husband.
The Director of National Intelligence, 45, announced her resignationFriday, May 22, 2026, in a letter to President Donald Trump that she posted to social media. Effective June 30, she will step down from her role to care for her husband, Abraham Williams, who was recently diagnosed with what she called "an extremely rare form of bone cancer." The post had been viewed more than 5.7 million times on X by Friday evening, drawing tens of thousands of supportive replies.
'I Must Step Away to Be by His Side'
"My husband, Abraham, has recently been diagnosed with an extremely rare form of bone cancer," Gabbard wrote in the letter. "He faces major challenges in the coming weeks and months." She added: "I must step away from public service to be by his side."
I am deeply grateful for the trust President Trump placed in me and for the opportunity to lead @ODNIgov for the last year and a half.
— Tulsi Gabbard 🌺 (@TulsiGabbard) May 22, 2026
Unfortunately, I must submit my resignation, effective June 30, 2026. My husband, Abraham, has recently been diagnosed with an extremely rare… pic.twitter.com/PS0Dxp5zpd
How They Met
Williams, a Hawaii-based cinematographer and surfer, volunteered as a photographer on Gabbard's 2012 congressional campaign for Hawaii's 2nd District seat, shooting many of the images that helped introduce her to voters.
The two met in person after she won the race. About a year and a half later, Williams asked her out for the first time at a birthday party, and they bonded over their shared love of the ocean and surfing. He proposed one evening while they were surfing at sunset. They married in a Vedic ceremony at Kahaluʻu Fishpond on April 9, 2015, blending Hawaiian and Hindu traditions. He is seven years younger than Gabbard and has continued to work in cinematography throughout her political career.
Gabbard, a former U.S. congresswoman from Hawaii who ran for president in 2020, had served as Director of National Intelligence for 15 months at the time of Friday's letter. Her resignation takes effect June 30, 2026, after which she said she will focus on supporting Abraham through his treatment.
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This story was originally published May 22, 2026 at 5:54 PM.