Outgoing Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said her husband, Abraham Williams, is recovering at home after undergoing nearly seven hours of surgery for what she described as a very rare sacral chordoma.
In a heartfelt post on X, Gabbard said Williams had been diagnosed with the rare condition and that surgeons removed bone and surrounding tissue during the procedure. She said the operation was successful, though her husband had a difficult night afterward and remains in significant pain.
“He had a rough night and is in a lot of pain but is finally home resting,” Gabbard wrote, adding that his recovery now begins.
The update is the first time Gabbard publicly identified the specific diagnosis behind her husband’s illness. She had previously announced that she would resign as Director of National Intelligence to support him through what she called an extremely rare form of bone cancer. Her resignation is set to take effect June 30.
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Gabbard’s decision to step away from one of the nation’s most sensitive national security roles drew attention last month because of both the personal nature of the announcement and the importance of the position. As Director of National Intelligence, Gabbard has overseen the U.S. intelligence community, including coordination among agencies involved in national security, counterterrorism and foreign threats.
In her resignation letter to President Donald Trump, Gabbard said Williams faces major challenges in the coming weeks and months and that she could not in good conscience ask him to go through the fight alone while she continued in such a demanding role. CBS News reported that Gabbard said her resignation would be effective June 30 and that she wanted to be by her husband’s side during his treatment. (cbsnews.com)
Gabbard described Williams as her “rock” throughout their marriage, saying he had supported her through military deployment, political campaigns and her service in government. The couple married in 2015, and Williams is a cinematographer who has worked in film, television and campaign media, according to People. (people.com)
President Trump publicly supported Gabbard’s decision, saying she was right to focus on her husband’s health and praising her work in the administration. Trump later announced that Bill Pulte, who leads the Federal Housing Finance Agency, would serve as acting Director of National Intelligence after Gabbard’s departure.
A sacral chordoma is a rare type of cancerous bone tumor that develops in the sacrum, the triangular bone at the base of the spine above the tailbone. The National Cancer Institute describes chordoma as a rare bone cancer that can develop at the base of the skull, along the spine or near the end of the spine in the sacrum or coccyx.
Because chordomas are rare and often grow slowly, treatment can be complex. Surgery is commonly an important part of care when doctors determine that a tumor can be removed, but recovery may be difficult depending on the tumor’s location and the amount of tissue involved. Gabbard did not disclose further medical details beyond saying the surgery was successful and that Williams is now home.
The post drew an outpouring of prayers and supportive messages from across the political spectrum. Gabbard thanked people for their kindness, saying she and her family were grateful for the support.
The health update also adds context to Gabbard’s upcoming departure from public service. She assumed the DNI role in February 2025 after a political career that included service in Congress, a 2020 presidential campaign, military service and a shift from the Democratic Party to independent politics and later the Republican Party.
Her tenure as intelligence chief was closely watched because of her unconventional political background and foreign policy views. Supporters praised her skepticism of interventionist foreign policy and her willingness to challenge Washington institutions. Critics raised concerns about whether her approach would politicize or weaken confidence in the intelligence community.
Now, however, the focus has shifted to her family. Gabbard has made clear that her immediate priority is supporting Williams through treatment and recovery.
For public officials, stepping away from high office for family medical reasons is rare but not unprecedented. The demands of national security leadership can be intense, and Gabbard’s letter framed her resignation as a personal decision driven by the seriousness of her husband’s illness.
Her latest update suggests the first major step in Williams’s treatment has been completed, but the recovery process is only beginning. Gabbard did not provide a timeline for what comes next medically, saying only that her husband is home and resting.
Why It Matters
Gabbard’s update matters because it explains the personal medical crisis behind her decision to resign from one of the most important national security positions in the U.S. government. Her husband’s diagnosis and surgery have shifted attention from political debate to a deeply personal family struggle.
It also matters because the transition at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence comes at a sensitive time for U.S. national security. Gabbard’s departure will require new leadership as the intelligence community continues handling threats involving foreign adversaries, terrorism, cyber operations and global conflicts.
What Comes Next
Gabbard’s resignation is expected to take effect June 30. The Trump administration has said Bill Pulte will serve as acting Director of National Intelligence after she leaves, while continuing in his housing finance roles.
Williams will continue recovering from surgery, and Gabbard has indicated that her focus will be supporting him through the next phase of treatment. Further medical updates will likely come only if the family chooses to share them publicly.
Tulsi Gabbard said her husband Abraham Williams is recovering at home after successful surgery for a rare sacral chordoma.
🙏 GOD HEARD OUR PRAYERS!
Tulsi Gabbard just announced her husband Abraham’s surgery was a complete SUCCESS after lasting nearly 7 hours!
He’s home resting now as recovery begins. What an incredible blessing and powerful reminder that God is listening.
Keep lifting Abraham and… pic.twitter.com/dUjpahC74o— ⁿᵉʷˢ Barron Trump 🇺🇸 (@BarronTNews_) June 4, 2026
