Tulsi Gabbard has announced her resignation as the US Director of National Intelligence. Ms Gabbard said she will step down from her position effective June 30 after her husband, Abraham Williams, was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of bone cancer.

In her resignation letter to US President Donald Trump, Ms Gabbard said she was deeply grateful for the opportunity to lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence over the past one-and-a-half years.

In a statement posted on social media, President Trump praised Ms Gabbard, saying she had done an incredible job and would be missed by the administration. He also announced that Aaron Lukas will serve as Acting Director of National Intelligence following her departure.

A former 2020 presidential candidate, Ms Gabbard served as the United States’ top intelligence official under the Trump administration.