Tulsi Gabbard was asked to fire Joe Kent but she never did, claims Fox News correspondent amid major row
Image: The Times of India

Tulsi Gabbard was asked to fire Joe Kent but she never did, claims Fox News correspondent amid major row

01 March, 2026.USA.1 sources

Key Takeaways

  • Joe Kent resigned as director of the National Counterterrorism Center.
  • Kent cited the Iran strike and opposition to the Trump administration's war as his reason.
  • Trump welcomed the resignation as 'good riddance'; Gabbard was reportedly asked to fire Kent.

Kent resignation and rift

The resignation of Joe Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, created a major rift inside MAGA as Kent clearly said the strike on Iran was the reason for his resignation, as he could not back the Trump administration's war.

The resignation of Joe Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, created a major rift inside MAGA as Kent clearly said the strike on Iran was the reason for his resignation, as he could not back the Trump administration's war

The Times of IndiaThe Times of India

While Donald Trump and White House reacted positively to Kent's resignation as a 'good riddance', several MAGA insiders, including Laura Loomer, called Kent a 'leaker'.

Image from The Times of India
The Times of IndiaThe Times of India

Fox News correspondent Aishah Hasnie claimed Kent was not allowed in any POTUS intelligence briefings in recent months as he was a known leaker.

Gabbard firing claim

The Fox News correspondent claimed, citing sources, that White House told DNI Tulsi Gabbard to fire Kent but she never did.

Kent was not part of any Iran planning discussions, she said.

Image from The Times of India
The Times of IndiaThe Times of India

Hasnie was attacked on social media and asked to prove her claims by the anti-war faction.

Trump reactions and rhetoric

“They’re not smart people, or they’re not savvy people,” Trump said.

Iran was a tremendous threat.”

Donald Trump's earlier post praising Kent's appointment also went viral as he now discredited Kent.

Gabbard's silence and past critique

No reaction from Tulsi Gabbard.

Tulsi Gabbard has not reacted to Kent's resignation.

Image from The Times of India
The Times of IndiaThe Times of India

In fact, Tulsi Gabbard did not post anything on her social media accounts since the strikes began on February 28.

A veteran and former congresswoman from Hawaii, Gabbard has in the past criticized talk of military strikes in Iran.

Six years ago she said that “an all out war with Iran would make the wars that we’ve seen in Iraq and Afghanistan look like a picnic. It will be far more costly in lives, American lives, and American taxpayer dollars — and all towards accomplishing what goal? What objective?”

More on USA