Gabbard noted in her resignation letter that the DNI’s office had made “significant progress” but that there’s “still important work to be done.”

Senate confirmation of a permanent replacement may prove difficult. Trump is currently battling with Senate Republicans over his $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund, White House ballroom security money, and his endorsements against two GOP incumbents.

Acting leaders are now running the Labor Department and Justice Department, where acting attorney general Todd Blanche faces a tough road to confirmation if Trump nominates him to a permanent role.

Any Gabbard replacement would have to get approval from the Senate Intelligence Committee, whose members include moderate Maine Sen. Susan Collins, who has voted against several Trump nominees and priorities, as well as Texas Sen. John Cornyn, recently snubbed by Trump in his primary. Gabbard’s successor would need both of their votes — and confirming her was a challenge to begin with at the peak of Trump’s power.

“I disagreed with her. I respect her service and wish her well going forward,” said the Intelligence panel’s top Democrat, Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia.

Warner added a recommendation for her replacement: “It’s important that this position now more than ever needs to be an experienced intelligence professional that will know their lanes, that understands the Director of National Intelligence should be focusing on foreign intelligence and not involving himself or herself in domestic election incidents.”