Overview
- Joe Kent stepped down as director of the National Counterterrorism Center, posting a letter on X saying he could not support the Iran war and asserting Tehran posed no imminent threat.
- In the letter, Kent blamed pressure from Israel and what he called a pro‑war media echo chamber for pushing the U.S. into the conflict, allegations he framed as a repeat of Iraq War-era tactics.
- President Donald Trump said it was “a good thing” Kent resigned, and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt labeled his claims false while describing Iran as the leading state sponsor of terrorism.
- Outlets noted Kent as the first prominent administration official to resign over the Iran campaign, which the Pentagon says has resulted in at least 13 U.S. service members killed and about 200 wounded, with heavy regional casualties reported.
- Kent, a retired Green Beret and Gold Star husband whose confirmation in July 2025 drew criticism over past ties flagged by Democrats, invoked his late wife’s death in arguing the war does not serve U.S. interests.