Tulsi Gabbard is leaving as Director of National Intelligence on June 30, officially to care for her husband who has bone cancer — but speculation is mounting that she was pushed out.

• Trump announced her exit, citing her husband Abraham's rare bone cancer diagnosis as the reason.
• Recent reports said the CIA pulled back classified documents she was trying to declassify, suggesting an internal power struggle.
• The CIA reportedly resents being under DNI authority, and Gabbard may have hit a wall trying to do her job.
• Earlier tension with Trump surfaced when she gave a non-committal answer about whether she agreed with his Iran threat assessment.
• Deputy Aaron Lucas takes over as acting DNI; Gabbard is still seen as a possible 2028 VP pick alongside JD Vance on a non-interventionist ticket.

Outlook: Watch whether Gabbard stays loyal to Trump or drifts toward the anti-establishment wing — that choice will shape her 2028 prospects.