Donald Trump appoints former CIA officer as interim US intelligence chief after Tulsi Gabbard resigns
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US President Donald Trump has appointed former CIA officer Aaron Lukas as interim Director of National Intelligence following Tulsi Gabbard’s resignation from the post.
Gabbard stepped down, citing her husband’s diagnosis with a rare form of bone cancer. She informed Trump of her decision during a meeting in the Oval Office on Friday and later shared her resignation letter on X.
“Today, with great humility and sincere appreciation, I shared the below letter with President Trump. It has been a profound honor to serve the American people as DNI,” Gabbard wrote in her post.
Trump announced Lukas’s appointment on his social media platform Truth Social and expressed hope for Gabbard’s husband’s recovery.
Gabbard’s final day as head of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence is expected to be June 30.
Responding to Gabbard’s post, Lukas wrote that he and others were praying for her family during the difficult period.
“She has led ODNI with patriotism, humility, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to truth. I am proud to have served as her deputy,” he said.
Lukas is currently serving as Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence and was nominated last year to serve as Gabbard’s deputy.
He is a former CIA officer with more than 20 years of experience in the intelligence community, including serving as a CIA chief of station. Lukas will hold the position on an interim basis until a permanent appointment is made or confirmed.