In a rare resignation on principle in the second Trump era, Joe Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, announced his resignation on Tuesday.
Per CNN, Kent, who the president himself had appointed, declared that “I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. 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.”
After much reflection, I have decided to resign from my position as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, effective today.
I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this… pic.twitter.com/prtu86DpEr
— Joe Kent (@joekent16jan19) March 17, 2026
Now, the president has shared his reaction to Kent’s departure.
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Asked about the news at the White House on Tuesday, Trump said of Kent, “I thought he was a nice guy, but I always thought he was weak on security.”
“I didn’t know him well … But when I read his statement, I realized that it’s a good thing that he’s out, because he said that Iran was not a threat,” Trump added. “Iran was a threat, every country realized what a threat Iran was. The question was whether not they want to do something about it.” Trump went on to blame Barack Obama for the Iran nuclear deal in his second term.
🚨 BREAKING: President Trump on resignation of Joe Kent, Director of National Counterterrorism Center:” I always thought he was weak on security.”
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) March 17, 2026
Kent, in his letter, shared his support for “the values and the foreign policies that you campaigned on in 2016, 2020” and 2024, although he stated that he disagrees with Trump’s current actions.
“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,” Kent wrote in the letter.
Kent has been a controversial figure in the past. Per Wionews, Kent’s confirmation had been “contentious,” with “opposition citing concerns about his past political affiliations and statements. Lawmakers warned that his connections to far-right elements could influence intelligence assessments.”
“In 2022, according to AP, Kent paid Graham Jorgensen, a member of the far-right military group Proud Boys, for consulting work. He also collaborated closely with Joey Gibson, founder of the Christian nationalist group Patriot Prayer, and received support from a range of far-right figures,” that story said.
Photo courtesy of an X screenshot.
