Naija pipo, make una hear dis one o. Tulsi Gabbard, wey be US director of national intelligence for Trump administration, don resign. She tok say na because her husband, Abraham, get bone cancer wey just diagnose.
For her resignation letter wey CBS News get, Gabbard write say, “E get strength and love wey don carry me through every challenge. I no fit ask am to face dis fight alone while I dey do dis demanding work.” She say her husband dey face major challenges for coming weeks and months.
President Donald Trump for social media post say Gabbard “don do incredible job, and we go miss her.” She go leave office on June 30. Aaron Lukas, wey be principal deputy director, go act as director.
Gabbard na loyal supporter of Trump for 2024 campaign. She don serve as one of di most powerful figures for US intelligence-gathering since Trump return to White House for 2025. But dis year, she no too dey public eye as US take military action against Iran, put pressure on Cuba, and remove Venezuela president.
She be di fourth Cabinet member wey leave Trump administration. Lori Chavez-DeRemer don leave as labor secretary for April. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi don leave earlier dis year.
During her career, Gabbard don position herself as anti-interventionalist for foreign wars. Dis create tension after Trump decide to enter war with Iran. After US-Israel strikes on Iran, she avoid endorsing di decision, carefully evading questions for congressional hearing for March about whether di administration know di conflict potential fallout.
She face scrutiny over questions about differences between White House and intelligence community claims on Iran nuclear enrichment. Last year, Trump appear to dismiss Gabbard declaration before Congress say Iran no dey seek to build nuclear weapon. “I no care wetin she tok,” Trump tell reporters. “I think dem dey very close to get weapon.” Trump don repeatedly cite Iran nuclear capability as reason for war.
Gabbard departure come two months after her top aide, former National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent, leave di administration over di war for Iran, urging di president to “reverse course.” After Kent resignation, Gabbard publicly back Trump decision for Iran, saying say as commander-in-chief, di president dey responsible for determine wetin be imminent threat.
Na military veteran wey serve with medical unit for Iraq, Gabbard don get many political firsts. She first elected to Hawaii Legislature for age 21 for 2002, di youngest person ever elected for di state. She leave after one term when her National Guard unit deploy to Iraq. She go on to represent Hawaii for Congress as Democrat from 2013 to 2021, becoming di first Hindu to serve for di House.
She run unsuccessful bid for president for 2020, positioning herself on anti-interventionalist foreign policy platform. For 2022, she leave Democratic Party and initially register as independent, accusing her former party of being “elitist cabal of warmongers” driven by “cowardly wokeness.” As contributor for Fox News, she dey vocal on topics like gender and freedom of speech, and become outspoken supporter of Donald Trump before joining Republican party. She endorse Trump for 2024, campaign with am, and serve as member of his transition team after election. Trump nominate her to be director of national intelligence after win. As head of intelligence community, Gabbard dey coordinate among multiple agencies and advise di president.
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor @ nnn.ng
