Joe Kent announced his resignation saying he “cannot in good conscience” back the Trump administration’s war in Iran
The director of the National Counterterrorism Center has resigned saying he “cannot in good conscience” support the ongoing war with Iran. In a resignation letter addressed to President Donald Trump shared to his X account, Joe Kent said 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 described the conflict as one that serves no clear benefit to the United States and raised concerns about the human and economic costs of continued engagement. In the letter, Kent expressed support for Trump’s previous foreign policy approaches, noting actions such as the killing of Qassem Soleimani and campaigns against ISIS, which he described as examples of decisive military action without prolonged engagement. "As a Gold Star husband who lost my beloved wife Shannon in a war manufactured by Israel, I cannot support sending the next generation off to fight and die in a war that serves no benefit to the American people nor justifies the cost of American lives," Kent wrote. "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 added.A former U.S. Army warrant officer, Kent completed two decades of military service with 11 combat deployments and later worked with the Central Intelligence Agency before entering government leadership. Kent, who was confirmed as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center by a 52–44 Senate vote in July 2025, previously ran for Congress in Washington state in 2022 and 2024. During his congressional campaigns, multiple news outlets reported that Kent had connections with individuals associated with far‑right or extremist movements; for example, his campaign paid a consultant identified as a member of the Proud Boys and worked closely with activists linked to the group Patriot Prayer. Kent also faced scrutiny for refusing to disavow certain conspiracy theories related to the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol attack and the 2020 presidential election., ours is different: The Courageous Center—it's not"both sides," it's sharp, challenging and alive with ideas. We follow facts, not factions. If that sounds like the kind of journalism you want to see thrive, we need you., you support a mission to keep the center strong and vibrant. Members enjoy: Ad-free browsing, exclusive content and editor conversations.
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