Resigned intelligence director details husband’s cancer fight

Former U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on Thursday said her husband Abraham Williams continued to recover from an invasive cancer surgery. She resigned from her cabinet position in May after her spouse was diagnosed with sacral chordoma, a rare cancer that forms in the sacral bone at the base of the spine. Gabbard, who ran for president as a Democrat in 2020, supported Trump in the 2024 election cycle.

During Williams’ surgery, which took place three months ago, doctors removed the bottom portion of his sacrum, along with his tailbone, Gabbard said. A few weeks after the surgery, doctors said they were confident that the procedure removed all the cancerous bone and tissue, she said. Williams is still in intensive physical therapy, she said. She shared a video including clips of him trying to perform lunges in a gym setting. Williams will also need frequent scans and monitoring to see if the cancer returns, Gabbard said.

Gabbard thanked her husband’s medical team and supporters. She also said she was thankful “to God for his unconditional love” and for being the couple’s shelter and strength. Gabbard has publicly identified herself as a practicing Hindu, while referencing her god in the singular. Media profiles have descibed her as belonging to the monotheistic Hindu group known as Hare Krishna, but she has seemingly tried to participate in prayer with Christians.

Dig deeper: Read Josh Schumacher’s report on Gabbard’s decision to step down.