Joe Kent resigned as counterterrorism director, citing concerns over the Iran war. He said there was no imminent threat and questioned the justification for military strikes. His resignation highlights divisions within the U.S. government over the decision to go to war.
Joe Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, resigned on Tuesday, saying he could not support the Trump administration’s military strikes in Iran and citing concerns over the justification for the war.
Kent said in a statement posted on social media that he “cannot in good conscience” back the administration’s actions. He added, “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, who was confirmed to the role last July in a 52-44 vote, led the agency responsible for analyzing and detecting terrorist threats. His resignation marks a significant change in leadership at one of the United States’ top counterterrorism offices.
The move comes as the administration of Donald Trump faces scrutiny over its decision to launch military strikes in Iran. The resignation also reflects unease within Trump’s political base and among senior officials about the justification for the use of force.
Recent attacks at a Michigan synagogue and a Virginia university have raised concerns about terrorism within the United States, adding context to the leadership change at the counterterrorism center.
Trump has offered varying explanations for the strikes and has rejected claims that Israel forced the United States to act. Earlier this month, House Speaker Mike Johnson said the White House believed Israel was prepared to act independently, leaving the president with what he described as a “very difficult decision.”
A spokesperson for Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard did not respond to questions about Kent’s resignation, and the White House also had no immediate comment.
Democrats had strongly opposed Kent’s confirmation, citing his past ties to far-right figures and conspiracy theories. However, following his resignation, Senator Mark Warner said Kent’s concerns about the Iran war were valid.
“I strongly disagree with many of the positions he has espoused over the years,” 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.”
Gabbard, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and FBI Director Kash Patel are expected to testify before lawmakers later this week on threats facing the country. The hearing is likely to focus on the Iran war and reports that outdated intelligence may have contributed to a U.S. missile strike that hit an elementary school in Iran, killing more than 165 people.
Gabbard, a former congresswoman, has previously criticized the idea of military action in Iran, warning that a large-scale war would be costly in lives and resources. Her office has not stated her current position on the recent strikes.
Before joining the administration, Kent ran two unsuccessful campaigns for Congress in Washington state. He is a military veteran with 11 deployments as a Green Beret and later worked at the CIA.
During his 2022 campaign, Kent faced criticism for paying a member of the Proud Boys for consulting work and for his associations with far-right figures, including Joey Gibson of Patriot Prayer. He also drew scrutiny during his Senate confirmation hearing for refusing to reject conspiracy theories related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack and claims about the 2020 election.
Despite the criticism, Republicans supported Kent’s nomination, pointing to his military and intelligence background. Senator Tom Cotton said Kent had “dedicated his career to fighting terrorism and keeping Americans safe.”
