National Counterterrorism Center Director Resigns, Says He ‘Cannot In Good Conscience Support Trump’s War In Iran

Joseph “Joe” Kent, Donald Trump

National Counterterrorism Center Director Resigns, Says He ‘Cannot In Good Conscience Support Trump’s War In Iran

Yet another of #Trump’s loyal followers appears to be changing course.

Joseph “Joe” Kent, the director of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center, announced his resignation Tuesday (Mar. 17) in a public statement sharply criticizing the Trump administration’s war with #Iran. Kent said he “cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran,” and added that “Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation,” contradicting the justification administration officials have publicly offered for the conflict. He also claimed that the U.S. “started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.”

Confirmed last July by the Senate by a narrow vote, Kent led the agency responsible for analyzing and coordinating U.S. counterterrorism efforts. His departure underscores growing dissent even among officials who previously supported the Trump administration’s national security approach. The White House has not yet commented on Kent’s resignation.