In the formal resignation letter addressed directly to Trump, Kent expanded on his concerns, framing the conflict as both unnecessary and strategically misguided.
«I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation,» he wrote in the document.
Joe Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, has resigned from his position in a public break with President Donald Trump over the ongoing war in Iran.
In a message shared on X alongside his official resignation letter, Kent said he could no longer support the conflict, arguing that Iran posed no imminent threat to the United States. His departure marks one of the most significant internal dissenting voices within the administration since the escalation began.
The move immediately intensified debate in Washington, highlighting growing divisions over the justification, strategy and long-term consequences of the war.
A public message
Joseph (Joe) Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, announced his resignation in a public message that immediately drew attention in Washington, citing his opposition to the ongoing war in Iran and urging President Donald Trump to change course. Kent shared the decision on X, where he posted a copy of his resignation letter alongside a statement explaining his reasoning.
«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 war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby,» he wrote.
Unnecessary and strategically misguided
In the formal resignation letter addressed directly to Trump, Kent expanded on his concerns, framing the conflict as both unnecessary and strategically misguided.
«I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation,» he wrote in the document.
He also argued that the decision to engage in the conflict reflected external pressure rather than clear national interest, stating that «it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.» The letter marks one of the most direct internal criticisms of the administration’s foreign policy since the escalation began.
A broader disagreement
Kent’s resignation also highlighted a broader disagreement with the direction of U.S. foreign policy under Trump’s current administration. In the letter, he referenced Trump’s earlier political positioning, noting that the president had previously warned against prolonged military engagements in the Middle East.
«Until June of 2025, you understood that the wars in the Middle East were a trap that robbed America of the precious lives of our patriots and depleted the wealth and prosperity of our nation,» Kent wrote.
He suggested that the current conflict represents a departure from those principles and risks repeating past strategic mistakes.
A lie
The outgoing counterterrorism chief further pointed to what he described as a misinformation campaign influencing decision-making at the highest levels of government.
«Early in this administration, high-ranking Israeli officials and influential members of the American media deployed a misinformation campaign that wholly undermined your America First platform and sowed pro-war sentiments to encourage a war with Iran,» Kent wrote.
He added that this narrative had created a false sense of urgency, warning that «this was a lie» and drawing comparisons to the lead-up to the Iraq war, which he described as a cautionary example of flawed intelligence and policy decisions.
The human cost of war
Kent also invoked his personal background and military experience in explaining his decision to step down, emphasizing the human cost of war.
«As a veteran who deployed to combat 11 times and as a Gold Star husband who lost my beloved wife Shannon in a war manufactured by Israel, I cannot support sending the next generation off to fight and die in a war that serves no benefit to the American people nor justifies the cost of American lives,» he wrote.
He concluded his letter with a direct appeal to Trump, urging the president to reconsider the current strategy. «I pray that you will reflect upon what we are doing in Iran, and who we are doing it for,» Kent added.
Reverse course
The resignation comes at a moment of heightened debate within Washington over the direction of U.S. policy in the Middle East, as the conflict with Iran continues to escalate.
Kent’s departure underscores internal divisions within the administration and raises questions about the long-term strategy behind the war. In his final remarks, he framed the decision as both a personal and national turning point.
«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,» he wrote, signaling a clear break with the administration’s current approach.