Joe Kent Resigns Over Iran War

Joe Kent, the Director of the United States — National Counterterrorism Center, resigned on March 17, 2026, in protest of the United States' ongoing war with Iran. In his resignation letter, shared publicly, Kent stated he could not 'in good conscience' support the war, asserting that Iran posed 'no imminent threat' to the United States. He accused Israel and its American lobby of pressuring the Donald Trump administration into the conflict through a misinformation campaign, a tactic he likened to the lead-up to the Iraq war. Kent, a veteran with 11 combat deployments and a Gold Star husband, emphasized his personal loss and military experience as reasons for his stance against a war he believes serves no benefit to the American people. Donald Trump, in response, stated he did not know Kent well and considered him 'weak on security,' reiterating that Iran was indeed a threat. Kent's resignation is the most senior public protest within the Trump administration regarding the Iran war and has sparked debate among political figures and on social media.