‘I can’t in good conscience support this’: Top US counterterrorism chief Joe Kent resigns over Trump’s war in Iran

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… pic.twitter.com/prtu86DpEr — Joe Kent (@joekent16jan19) March 17, 2026 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… pic.twitter.com/prtu86DpEr — Joe Kent (@joekent16jan19) March 17, 2026 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. ### Trump's Iran War: Dissent from Within ## How Trump reacted “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. ## Resignation signals unease within Trump’s base Kent, confirmed last July in a 52-44 vote, headed the agency responsible for analysing terrorist threats. His resignation highlights growing discomfort within President Donald Trump’s support base and senior administration ranks over the rationale behind the war. ## Move comes amid rising domestic security concerns 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 offers shifting stance 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.” ## No immediate response from White House, DNI office A spokesperson for Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and the White House did not immediately respond to queries on Kent’s resignation. ## Democrats opposed Kent, but back his Iran stance 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) The Express Global Desk at The Indian Express delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read More