Joseph Kent, the head of the National Counterterrorism Center, resigned Tuesday, becoming the first and highest-ranking official in US President Donald Trump’s administration to step down over the ongoing war in Iran.
In his resignation letter, shared on X, Kent said he could not support the conflict, arguing that Iran did not pose an immediate threat to the United States. He also claimed the war was initiated under pressure from Israel and its influential lobby.
Legal experts have pointed out that under current laws, the US would need to establish an imminent threat before engaging in war. The White House and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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…
— Joe Kent (@joekent16jan19)
The sudden resignation reportedly caught intelligence officials off guard. Kent is known to be close to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who has maintained a low profile since the conflict began.
“When I read his statement, I thought it was a good thing he’s out, because he said Iran was not a threat… Every country realised what a threat Iran was – the question was whether they wanted to do something about it,” Trump told reporters.
Kent, confirmed last July in a 52-44 vote, headed the agency responsible for analysing terrorist threats. His resignation highlights growing discomfort within President ’s support base and senior administration ranks over the rationale behind the war.
The leadership change comes at a time of heightened concern over terrorism in the US, following recent attacks at a Michigan synagogue and a Virginia university.
Trump has given varying explanations for the strikes and rejected claims that Israel pushed the US into action. House Speaker Mike Johnson suggested the administration believed Israel might act independently, leaving Trump with a “very difficult decision.”
A spokesperson for Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and the White House did not immediately respond to queries on Kent’s resignation.
Democrats had earlier opposed Kent’s confirmation over his alleged ties to far-right figures. However, after his resignation, Senator Mark Warner said Kent was right on Iran, noting there was no credible evidence of an imminent threat.
(With inputs from Reuters and AP)
