Joe Kent, director of the US National Counterterrorism Center, has resigned from the administration of Donald Trump, citing his opposition to the US’ war with Iran and saying he could not support the conflict. He claimed that America did not need this war, but started it due to pressure from Israel.
Kent announced his resignation on Tuesday, stating that he “cannot in good conscience” back the administration’s military campaign against Iran.
In a post on social media, he argued that Tehran did not pose an immediate threat to the US and questioned the reasons behind the war.
“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 wrote.
Kent’s departure comes as tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East amid ongoing military exchanges between the US and Iran.
His resignation marks one of the most high-profile exits from the administration since the conflict intensified.
As director of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), Kent led a key US intelligence body responsible for analysing and identifying terrorist threats to the country.
The agency plays a central role in coordinating counterterrorism intelligence across multiple US government departments, including the intelligence community, the Pentagon and law enforcement agencies.
Kent also shared a letter addressed to Donald Trump explaining the reasons behind his resignation. In the letter, he said that while he supported “the values and the foreign policies that you campaigned on in 2016, 2020” and 2024, he disagreed with the president’s decision to launch the military operation against Iran.
“I pray that you will reflect upon what we are doing in Iran, and who we are doing it for. The time for bold action is now. You can reverse course and chart a new path for our nation, or you can allow us to slip further toward decline and chaos. You hold the cards,” he wrote.
TRUMP’S CONFLICTING REMARK
This came days after Trump ironically claimed he might have “forced Israel’s hand” in launching strikes against Iran, rejecting suggestions that the US acted only after Israel prepared to attack.
Speaking to reporters at the Oval Office during the initial days of the conflict, Trump disputed claims that Israel’s plans prompted Washington’s action.
“They were going to attack if we didn’t do it, they were going to attack first,” he said of Iran. “I felt strongly about that”.
He added, “If anything, I might have forced Israel’s hand, but Israel was ready, and we were ready,” describing the strikes as pre-emptive and highly effective in weakening Iran’s missile capabilities.
WHO IS JOE KENT?
Joe Kent was confirmed to the post in July last year following a closely contested vote in the US Senate, which approved his nomination by 52 votes to 44.
His appointment had drawn scrutiny from some lawmakers due to past controversies and allegations of connections to right-wing extremist circles.
Before joining the Trump administration, Kent had pursued a political career and ran twice for Congress in Washington state, though both campaigns were unsuccessful.
Prior to entering politics, he served in the US military as a Green Beret, completing 11 deployments during his service.
After his time in the armed forces, Kent worked at the Central Intelligence Agency, further building his experience in national security and intelligence matters before moving into government leadership.
His resignation is likely to intensify debate in Washington over the justification for the war with Iran and the broader direction of US foreign policy in the region.
Kent’s criticism of the administration’s rationale for the conflict could also fuel political scrutiny as the war continues and questions grow over its strategic objectives and consequences.
