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President Trump is facing this public break within his own national security team during the war with Iran. Joe Kent is accusing the administration of going into that war over what he says are lies. In *** letter on social media, Kent said Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby. President Trump brushed off the resignation and bla. Kent’s claim when somebody is working with us that says they didn’t think Iran was *** threat, we don’t want those people because, and there are some people I guess I would say that, but they’re not smart people or they’re not savvy people. Kent led one of the government’s central counterterrorism hubs. The National Counterterrorism Center helps coordinate terrorism intelligence across the CIA, FBI, and Pentagon. He was appointed last. By Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and his military background made him *** credible national security voice for many Trump supporters. His exit also comes at *** moment of heightened concern about threats here at home after recent violent attacks in Michigan, New York, and Virginia. And tomorrow the heads of the CIA, the FBI, and the Director of National Intelligence are expected to testify on Capitol Hill. This is one of many topics expected to be discussed at the White House in Christopher Sales.
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US counterterrorism director resigns over war, says Iran posed ‘no imminent threat’
Joe Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, resigned Tuesday, saying he could not “in good conscience” support the Trump administration’s war in Iran.
The director of the National Counterterrorism Center resigned Tuesday. Joe Kent said he could not “in good conscience” support the Trump administration’s war in Iran. In a letter posted on social media, Kent said, “Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.”Kent argued that President Donald Trump had been misled by an “echo chamber” that exaggerated the Iranian threat and falsely suggested there was a clear path to a swift victory. Trump dismissed Kent’s resignation and criticized his claims. “When somebody is working with us that says they didn’t think Iran was a threat, we don’t want those people because. And there are some people, I guess, that would say that, but they’re not smart people or they’re not savvy people,” the president said.The National Counterterrorism Center is a key hub that coordinates terrorism intelligence across the CIA, FBI, and Pentagon. Prior to Kent’s confirmation in 2025, he served as a Green Beret and CIA paramilitary officer.His resignation marked a rare public split from a senior national security official during an active conflict and underscored growing dissent over whether Iran posed an imminent threat.Congress is divided over Kent’s resignation. Democrats, like Sen. Mark Warner, agreed there was no credible evidence of an imminent threat. Republicans have defended the strikes and argued the threat from Iran was real.See more coverage from the Washington News Bureau:
The director of the National Counterterrorism Center resigned Tuesday. Joe Kent said he could not “in good conscience” support the Trump administration’s war in Iran.
In a letter posted on social media, Kent said, “Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.”
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Kent argued that President Donald Trump had been misled by an “echo chamber” that exaggerated the Iranian threat and falsely suggested there was a clear path to a swift victory.
Trump dismissed Kent’s resignation and criticized his claims. “When somebody is working with us that says they didn’t think Iran was a threat, we don’t want those people because. And there are some people, I guess, that would say that, but they’re not smart people or they’re not savvy people,” the president said.
The National Counterterrorism Center is a key hub that coordinates terrorism intelligence across the CIA, FBI, and Pentagon. Prior to Kent’s confirmation in 2025, he served as a Green Beret and CIA paramilitary officer.
His resignation marked a rare public split from a senior national security official during an active conflict and underscored growing dissent over whether Iran posed an imminent threat.
Congress is divided over Kent’s resignation. Democrats, like Sen. Mark Warner, agreed there was no credible evidence of an imminent threat. Republicans have defended the strikes and argued the threat from Iran was real.
See more coverage from the Washington News Bureau:
