Democratic lawmakers have faced harsh criticism for their responses to Tulsi Gabbard's resignation after her husband's cancer diagnosis, with California Democrat Adam Schiff leading the charge.
Gabbard's Resignation
In her resignation letter on Friday, Gabbard said she was leaving her role effective June 30 after her husband Abraham was diagnosed with an 'extremely rare form' of bone cancer.
Schiff's Controversial Response
Schiff reacted to Gabbard's resignation by writing on X that her 'only positive contribution to our nation's national security is her resignation.' He accused her of politicizing intelligence, dismantling 'critical agencies keeping Americans safe' and pursuing 'baseless election fraud claims' related to the 2020 presidential election. The California Democrat added: 'We must ensure that her tenure - marked by a devotion to the person of the president and not to the security of the country - represents a terrible exception at DNI and not the new normal.' Though Schiff also noted he was wishing Gabbard's husband a full recovery, his response was blasted as 'celebrating cancer.'
Public Outcry
'If he truly had any sympathy, he would have left the politics out of it,' one user wrote on X. Another said: 'The woman's husband was just diagnosed with cancer and you decide that this is the right time to air your personal feelings about the executive branch finally operating properly?' A third user replied to Schiff's post by telling him that 'any decent human being would have stopped after the first paragraph.' Others called the Democratic lawmaker a 'complete piece of s***' while highlighting that Gabbard was stepping down because of her husband's illness. 'GOD FORBID YOU GIVE A SHRED OF DECENCY TO A PERSON LEAVING THEIR POST OF SERVICE FOR A SPOUSE SUFFERING FROM CANCER,' the user wrote.
Thanedar's Remarks
Michigan Rep Shri Thanedar was another Democratic lawmaker who took aim at Gabbard following the news of her departure from Donald Trump's administration. 'Tulsi Gabbard is resigning,' Thanedar wrote Friday on X. 'Good riddance.' He added: 'The Iran war has been the biggest display of intelligence incompetence in decades.' Thanedar did not make any mention of her husband's diagnosis as users labeled him a 'scumbag.' 'Tulsi resigned because her husband has bone cancer,' another said. 'Leave it to this monster to celebrate the news.' A third commenter drew a comparison between Thanedar and Schiff, as he called them 'worthless' for their comments regarding Gabbard.
Torres' Post
California Rep Norma Torres, another Democrat, also did not make note of Gabbard's husband as she addressed the resignation. 'Tulsi Gabbard is out, mark it on the bingo card,' Torres said on X. 'At this point the Trump Administration hiring process looks like: pick someone loud, promote them fast, watch them implode, repeat.' The west coast lawmaker was blasted for her post, with users calling her 'the worse,' a 'ghoul' and urging her to resign.
Warner's Statement
Virginia Sen Mark Warner, a Democrat, also addressed Gabbard's resignation on X by posting: 'First and foremost, my thoughts are with Tulsi Gabbard and her family as her husband battles cancer.' He also said he appreciated Gabbard's 'willingness to serve her country in a variety of different roles.' Warner then added that the next DNI 'must be committed to restoring trust in the office, protecting the integrity of our intelligence, and ensuring our nation's intelligence professionals can speak truth to power, without fear or interference.' 'At a time when the boundaries between verified intelligence and politically convenient claims have too often been blurred, it is critical that the office remain grounded in facts, independence, and the rule of law,' he wrote. Like Schiff, Warner was blasted for his remarks, with online users calling him 'pathetic.' 'This is a time for prayer,' one user wrote. 'Not politics you hack.' Another said: 'A five minute delay between 'heartfelt thoughts' and criticism is generally allowed, even encouraged...but you SOBs politicize everything even bone cancer!'
Gabbard's Announcement and Reactions
When she announced her resignation, Gabbard said it had been 'a profound honor to serve the American people as DNI.' She added that her husband was facing 'major challenges in the coming weeks and months' and that she felt compelled to step away from public service to be by his side. Trump reacted to the news on Truth Social and praised Gabbard for doing a 'great job' in her Cabinet position. The US President wrote: '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,' Trump added. 'Tulsi has done an incredible job, and we will miss her.' Trump said Gabbard's principal deputy, Aaron Lukas, would serve as acting director of national intelligence. Vice President JD Vance called Gabbard a 'great asset to the administration, and a dear friend.' Gabbard is the fourth member of Trump's Cabinet to leave her position, following former Attorney General Pam Bondi, former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and former Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer. The Daily Mail has reached out to Schiff, Warner, Thanedar and Torres' offices for comment.
