Joe Kent Resigns as NCTC Director Over Iran War

Joe Kent, the Director of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), resigned on March 17-18, 2026 in protest over the Trump administration's war with Iran.

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Kent, a 45-year-old former Green Beret with 11 combat deployments and former CIA paramilitary officer, was confirmed to the NCTC post last July on a 52-44 Senate vote.

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Before joining the administration, Kent had unsuccessfully run for Congress twice in Washington state in 2022 and 2024, with Trump endorsing both campaigns.

His resignation comes as the US-Israel-Iran conflict enters its third week, with approximately 13 US soldiers killed and over 1,450 people dead in the fighting.

In his resignation letter posted on X, Kent stated he 'cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran' and claimed that 'Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation.'

He accused the administration of starting the conflict 'due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.'

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Kent alleged that 'high-ranking Israeli officials and influential members of the American media deployed a misinformation campaign that sowed pro-war sentiments to encourage a war with Iran.'

He drew parallels to the Iraq War, stating 'This was a lie and is the same tactic the Israelis used to draw us into the disastrous Iraq war.'

He also invoked his personal tragedy, writing about losing his wife in 'a war manufactured by Israel.'

President Trump responded harshly to Kent's resignation, dismissing him as 'weak on security' and saying 'It's a good thing that he's out, because he said that Iran was not a threat.'

He asserted that if someone in his administration did not believe Iran posed a threat, 'we don't want those people,' calling them 'not smart people, or they're not savvy people.'

House Speaker Mike Johnson defended the administration's actions, stating he was 'personally convinced' the strikes prevented mass casualties.

However, Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner (Democrat) surprisingly agreed with Kent's assessment about the lack of imminent threat.

Several lawmakers and groups accused Kent of antisemitic tropes for blaming Israel for pushing the US into war.

Kent's resignation highlights growing divisions within Trump's administration and base over the Iran war.

The timing is significant as Kent's departure comes amid heightened domestic terror concerns following violent incidents in several US cities.

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Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard distanced herself from Kent's resignation while supporting Trump's decision.

Kent's background as a former special forces officer and intelligence professional lends weight to his criticism of the war's justification.

The resignation underscores the complexity of navigating Trump's shifting foreign policy positions.

Kent's personal background adds layers to his resignation narrative, particularly his military service and tragic loss.

A US Army Special Forces veteran who completed 11 combat deployments, Kent later served as a CIA paramilitary officer before entering politics.

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His first wife, Shannon Kent, a US Navy cryptologic technician, was killed in a suicide bombing in Syria in 2019, leaving behind two children.

Kent frequently referenced this loss in his political career and in his resignation letter.

Despite his military credentials, Kent faced controversy for ties to far-right figures and conspiracy theories during his congressional campaigns.