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The announcement that Joe Kent resigns has sent shockwaves through Washington, revealing fractures inside the national security ranks as the war in Iran intensifies.

Joe Kent, who led the National Counterterrorism Center, stepped down Tuesday, citing irreconcilable differences with the administration’s decision to strike Tehran.

His departure, delivered through a sharply worded resignation letter posted online, underscores a rare public break from Donald Trump by a figure once closely aligned with the president.

A Resignation Letter That Reads Like a Warning

Kent’s resignation was not quiet—it landed like a thunderclap.

“I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran,” he wrote, arguing that U.S. involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts drains both lives and national resources.

He pointed to June 2025 as a turning point, suggesting that earlier skepticism toward prolonged wars had given way to a path he could no longer support.

Kent also claimed that Iran posed no immediate threat to the United States, a position that sharply contradicts the administration’s justification for military action.

Claims of Misinformation Spark Backlash

In his letter, Kent alleged that American media, senior Israeli officials, and pro-Israel lobbying forces helped fuel a narrative pushing the U.S. toward war.

He described what he called an “echo chamber” that convinced policymakers a swift victory was achievable—comparing it to arguments made before the 2003 Iraq invasion.

However, there is no credible evidence supporting claims that Israel misled U.S. intelligence about weapons of mass destruction ahead of that war.

Kent did not respond to requests for further comment. The White House and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence also declined immediate comment.

Trump Responds: ‘We Don’t Want Those People’

President Trump quickly dismissed Kent’s stance.

Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said Kent was “weak on security” and expressed relief at his departure.

“When somebody is working with us that says they didn’t think Iran was a threat, we don’t want those people,” Trump told reporters.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed that criticism, calling Kent’s claims “false” and emphasizing that the president alone determines what constitutes a national threat.

She also rejected Kent’s suggestion that foreign influence shaped U.S. decision-making, describing it as “insulting and laughable.”

War Context and Intelligence Tensions

Kent’s resignation comes as the conflict with Iran enters its third week, just one day before top intelligence officials are set to testify before Congress.

Among them is Tulsi Gabbard, whose position may now face increased scrutiny given her past alignment with Kent.

Kent previously served as Gabbard’s chief of staff before his confirmation to lead the NCTC in July 2025, following his nomination earlier that year.

Meanwhile, Marco Rubio has said the U.S. acted after Israel initiated strikes, warning that Iran would likely retaliate against American forces without preemptive action.