<p>Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard announced her resignation on Friday (May 22), paving the way for veteran intelligence officer Aaron Lukas to step into one of Washington’s top national security roles. Lukas, who currently serves as Gabbard’s Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence (PDDNI), will take over as Acting Director of National Intelligence following her departure, according to President Donald Trump. Trump wrote, “Tulsi has done an incredible job, and we will miss her. Her highly respected Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence, Aaron Lukas, will serve as Acting Director of National Intelligence.” Gabbard is set to leave office on June 30.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Here's what you need to know about the Acting Director of National Intelligence chief</strong></p><h2>Aaron Lukas is a veteran CIA officer</h2><p>According to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), Lukas spent more than 20 years with the Central Intelligence Agency, serving as both an analyst and a clandestine operations officer. During his career, he was deployed across multiple regions worldwide. While joining the ODNI as PDDNI, Lukas said, “As someone who has spent most of my career serving on the front lines of intelligence, I understand firsthand our challenges as a community and the threats we face abroad.” Welcoming him to the role in 2025, Gabbard said Lukas understood ‘nearly every aspect of intelligence work’.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-tulsi-gabbard-inside-the-journey-of-america-s-most-controversial-intelligence-chief-1779473897876"><strong>Who is Tulsi Gabbard? The former presidential hopeful who landed America’s toughest intelligence job</strong></a></p><h2>Lukas served during Trump’s first administration</h2><p>Before becoming Acting DNI, Lukas held several senior national security roles during Trump’s first administration. He worked as chief of staff at the ODNI under former acting DNI Richard Grenell and later served as Deputy Senior Director for Europe and Russia at the National Security Council.</p><h2>He studied at Texas A&amp;M and GWU</h2><p>Born in Arkansas, Lukas graduated from Texas A&amp;M University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science in 1993. He later earned a Master of Arts in international affairs from George Washington University in 1997.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-cyprus-ties-pm-modi-president-nikos-hold-talks-1779460251774/embed"><strong>https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-cyprus-ties-pm-modi-president-nikos-hold-talks-1779460251774/embed</strong></a></p><h2>Aaron Lukas is married to Carrie Lukas</h2><p>Lukas is married to Carrie Lukas, a policy expert who previously worked at the Cato Institute and the House Republican Policy Committee on Capitol Hill. Carrie graduated from Princeton University and Harvard Kennedy School. She also writes for Forbes and National Review. She currently heads the Independent Women’s Forum and is the author of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Women, Sex, and Feminism, as well as coauthor of Liberty Is No War on Women.</p><h2>Aaron and Carrie Lukas have five children</h2><p>Aaron Lukas met his wife Carrie while working at the Cato Institute and the Office of the United States Trade Representative. The couple is now raising five children together.</p>

Aaron Lukas, a longtime CIA officer and Trump administration official, will become Acting DNI after Tulsi Gabbard’s resignation. Here’s everything to know about his career, education, family, and national security background

Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard announced her resignation on Friday (May 22), paving the way for veteran intelligence officer Aaron Lukas to step into one of Washington’s top national security roles. Lukas, who currently serves as Gabbard’s Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence (PDDNI), will take over as Acting Director of National Intelligence following her departure, according to President Donald Trump. Trump wrote, “Tulsi has done an incredible job, and we will miss her. Her highly respected Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence, Aaron Lukas, will serve as Acting Director of National Intelligence.” Gabbard is set to leave office on June 30. Here's what you need to know about the Acting Director of National Intelligence chief Aaron Lukas is a veteran CIA officer According to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), Lukas spent more than 20 years with the Central Intelligence Agency, serving as both an analyst and a clandestine operations officer. During his career, he was deployed across multiple regions worldwide. While joining the ODNI as PDDNI, Lukas said, “As someone who has spent most of my career serving on the front lines of intelligence, I understand firsthand our challenges as a community and the threats we face abroad.” Welcoming him to the role in 2025, Gabbard said Lukas understood ‘nearly every aspect of intelligence work’. Also Read: Who is Tulsi Gabbard? The former presidential hopeful who landed America’s toughest intelligence job Lukas served during Trump’s first administration Before becoming Acting DNI, Lukas held several senior national security roles during Trump’s first administration. He worked as chief of staff at the ODNI under former acting DNI Richard Grenell and later served as Deputy Senior Director for Europe and Russia at the National Security Council. He studied at Texas A&M and GWU Born in Arkansas, Lukas graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science in 1993. He later earned a Master of Arts in international affairs from George Washington University in 1997. https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-cyprus-ties-pm-modi-president-nikos-hold-talks-1779460251774/embed Aaron Lukas is married to Carrie Lukas Lukas is married to Carrie Lukas, a policy expert who previously worked at the Cato Institute and the House Republican Policy Committee on Capitol Hill. Carrie graduated from Princeton University and Harvard Kennedy School. She also writes for Forbes and National Review. She currently heads the Independent Women’s Forum and is the author of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Women, Sex, and Feminism, as well as coauthor of Liberty Is No War on Women. Aaron and Carrie Lukas have five children Aaron Lukas met his wife Carrie while working at the Cato Institute and the Office of the United States Trade Representative. The couple is now raising five children together.

<p>Aaron Lukas, a veteran CIA officer, will replace Tulsi Gabbard as Acting Director of National Intelligence after her resignation, effective June 30</p>

Who is Aaron Lukas? Acting Director of National Intelligence chief after Tulsi Gabbard's resignation

<p>US President Donald Trump on Friday (May 22) said that Tulsi Gabbard has done an “incredible job” as the Director of National Intelligence after she resigned from her position, citing her husband’s health. This comes after Gabbard announced her resignation in a post on X, sharing the letter sent to Trump.</p><p>In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote, “Unfortunately, after having done a great job, Tulsi Gabbard will be leaving the Administration on June 30th.”</p><p>He added, “Her wonderful husband, Abraham, has been recently diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer, and she, rightfully, wants to be with him, bringing him back to good health as they currently fight a tough battle together. I have no doubt he will soon be better than ever.”</p><p>Speaking about her work as the DNI, Trump praised Gabbard, saying, “Tulsi has done an incredible job, and we will miss her. Her highly respected Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence, Aaron Lukas, will serve as Acting Director of National Intelligence.”</p><h2><strong>Why did Tulsi Gabbard resign?</strong></h2><p>In her resignation letter, Gabbard said that she is leaving her position to support her husband through his battle with “an extremely rare form of bone cancer.”</p><p>“I am deeply grateful for the trust you placed in me and for the opportunity to lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence for the last year and a half,” Gabbard said.&nbsp;</p><p>“Unfortunately, I must submit my resignation, effective June 30, 2026,” she wrote. “My husband, Abraham, has recently been diagnosed with an extremely rare form of bone cancer. He faces major challenges in the coming weeks and months. At this time, I must step away from public service to be by his side and fully support him through this battle.”</p><p>According to a Fox News report, Gabbard informed Trump about her resignation during a meeting in the Oval Office on Friday (May 22).</p><p>“Thank you for your understanding during this deeply personal and difficult time for our family,” she said. “I will remain forever grateful to you and to the American people for the profound honour of serving our nation as DNI.”</p>

US President Donald Trump said Tulsi Gabbard will step down as DNI on June 30 to support her husband during his cancer treatment, praising her “incredible job” and naming Aaron Lukas acting DNI.

US President Donald Trump on Friday (May 22) said that Tulsi Gabbard has done an “incredible job” as the Director of National Intelligence after she resigned from her position, citing her husband’s health. This comes after Gabbard announced her resignation in a post on X, sharing the letter sent to Trump. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote, “Unfortunately, after having done a great job, Tulsi Gabbard will be leaving the Administration on June 30th.” He added, “Her wonderful husband, Abraham, has been recently diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer, and she, rightfully, wants to be with him, bringing him back to good health as they currently fight a tough battle together. I have no doubt he will soon be better than ever.” Speaking about her work as the DNI, Trump praised Gabbard, saying, “Tulsi has done an incredible job, and we will miss her. Her highly respected Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence, Aaron Lukas, will serve as Acting Director of National Intelligence.” Why did Tulsi Gabbard resign? In her resignation letter, Gabbard said that she is leaving her position to support her husband through his battle with “an extremely rare form of bone cancer.” “I am deeply grateful for the trust you placed in me and for the opportunity to lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence for the last year and a half,” Gabbard said. “Unfortunately, I must submit my resignation, effective June 30, 2026,” she wrote. “My husband, Abraham, has recently been diagnosed with an extremely rare form of bone cancer. He faces major challenges in the coming weeks and months. At this time, I must step away from public service to be by his side and fully support him through this battle.” According to a Fox News report, Gabbard informed Trump about her resignation during a meeting in the Oval Office on Friday (May 22). “Thank you for your understanding during this deeply personal and difficult time for our family,” she said. “I will remain forever grateful to you and to the American people for the profound honour of serving our nation as DNI.”

<p>US President Donald Trump said Tulsi Gabbard will step down as DNI on June 30 to support her husband during his cancer treatment, praising her “incredible job” and naming Aaron Lukas acting DNI.</p>

‘Tulsi has done incredible job’: Trump says after US intel chief Gabbard resigns, names Aaron Lukas as acting DNI

aaron-lukas

Aaron Lukas, News on Aaron Lukas, stories on Aaron Lukas, articles on Aaron Lukas, Aaron Lukas stories at Wion, Aaron Lukas news, Aaron Lukas latest news

aaron lukas

Who is Aaron Lukas? Acting Director of National Intelligence chief after Tulsi Gabbard's resignation

Trump says ‘Tulsi has done incredible job’, names new intel chief