Joe Kent, Trump Ally & Top Official, Resigns In Protest Of Iran War

Joe Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, resigned on Tuesday (March 17). In his now-viral statement, Kent urged President Donald Trump to reverse course on the war in Iran. He shared his concerns about the justification for military strikes and refused to back the Trump administration’s war. Additionally, Kent said he will not support sending “the next generation off to fight and die in a war” that has no benefits for Americans.

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Joe Kent Claims Iran “Posed No Imminent Threat” 

Following the resignation news, social media exploded with reactions. Kent’s tweet was viewed over 40.8 million times in the first 4 hours. The former director blamed pressure on Iran for the United States’ actions against Iran.

“I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. 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,” Joe Kent said.

Kent said he supports the values and foreign policies Trump campaigned on in 2016, 2020 and 2024. Until June 2025, the former director says Trump understood that wars in the Middle East “were a trap” for Americans, our prosperity and wealth. Then, came a “misinformation campaign” led by “high-ranking Israeli officials and influential members of the American media.” That campaign, Kent said, “sowed pro-war sentiments to encourage a war with Iran.” And President Trump fell for “the lie” of striking now to claim “victory,” the former official said. Adding, “We cannot make this mistake again.” 

Former Director Urges Trump To Halt The Iran War

Also, Joe Kent referenced his 11-time combat deployment and his late wife Shannon, who died “in a war manufactured by Israel.”

“…I cannot support sending the next generation to fight and die in a war that serves no benefit to the American people nor justifies the cost of American lives. 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. It was an honor to serve in your administration and to serve our great nation.”

A spokesperson for the Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, did not immediately respond to questions about Kent’s resignation. The White House also had no immediate comment on Kent’s resignation.

Trump Nominated Joe Kent To Lead The National Counterterrorism Center  

The change in personnel at one of the nation’s top counterterrorism offices comes amid increasing concerns about terrorism in the homeland. Within the past week, there have been attacks at a Michigan synagogue and a Virginia university.

For context, Joe Kent was a former political candidate with connections to right-wing extremists. He was confirmed to his post last July on a 52-44 vote. As head of the National Counterterrorism Center, he oversaw an agency tasked with analyzing and detecting terrorist threats.

His resignation reflects unease within President Donald Trump’s base about the war. It shows that even the right-wing Trump supporters, including senior members of his administration, have questions about the justification for the use of force in Iran.

What Has President Trump Said About The War In Iran?

President Trump has offered shifting reasons for the strikes in Iran. Additionally, he has pushed back on claims that Israel forced the U.S. to act. Earlier this month, House Speaker Mike Johnson suggested that the White House believed Israel was determined to act on its own, leaving the Republican president with a “very difficult decision.”

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, CIA Director John Ratcliffe and FBI Director Kash Patel are scheduled to testify before lawmakers later this week about threats facing the U.S. It is an annual hearing, but this year it will likely focus on Donald Trump’s war in Iran. Another revelation that could come up is the U.S. relying on outdated intelligence likely led to the U.S. firing a missile in Iran. That missile hit an elementary school in the country, killing more than 165 people.

Democratic Leader Supports Joe Kent’s Stance Amid Resignation

Democrats strongly opposed Joe Kent’s confirmation. They pointed to his past ties to far-right figures and conspiracy theories. But following Kent’s resignation, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, spoke out. Warner said Kent’s concerns about the war in Iran were justified.

“I strongly disagree with many of the positions [Joe Kent] has espoused over the years, particularly those that risk politicizing our intelligence community,” Warner said. “But on this point, he is right: There was no credible evidence of an imminent threat from Iran that would justify rushing the United States into another war of choice in the Middle East.”

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Associated Press writers Seung Min Kim and David Klepper contributed to this report via AP Newsroom.