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In a bold move, a senior aide to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has stepped down in protest against the Trump administration’s military actions in Iran. This resignation marks a significant dissent from within the administration during a period of heightened international tension.
Joe Kent, who held the position of director at the National Counterterrorism Center, announced his resignation via the social media platform X, effective immediately this Tuesday. Kent’s departure appears to be the first among high-ranking officials, signaling discontent over the administration’s war efforts.
In his statement, Kent expressed his inability to support the conflict, stating, “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.” His remarks reflect a deep concern about the motivations behind the military engagement.
Kent also shared a letter he penned to President Trump, articulating his support for the president’s past campaign values and foreign policies but highlighting his disagreement with the decision to initiate military operations in Iran. In his heartfelt plea, he urged the president to reconsider the current path, stating, “I pray that you will reflect upon what we are doing in Iran, and who we are doing it for. The time for bold action is now. 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.”
Kent’s resignation underscores a critical moment of introspection for the administration, as it navigates the complex geopolitical landscape surrounding its actions in Iran. The implications of this decision may resonate deeply within political circles and beyond.
The Hill has reached out to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and the National Counterterrorism Center for further comment.
Kent, a former Green Beret and two-time GOP congressional hopeful, was confirmed as the president’s principal counterterrorism adviser by the Senate last summer in a 52-44 vote. He previously worked as chief of staff to Gabbard.
He served in the Army for two decades and completed nearly a dozen combat deployments, receiving six bronze stars. He later worked as a paramilitary officer for the CIA.
Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), who has broken with the administration on various issues but has praised the U.S.-Israeli operation in Iran, sharply criticized the outgoing official.
“Good riddance. Iran has murdered more than a thousand Americans. Their EFP land mines were the deadliest in Iraq. Anti-Semitism is an evil I detest, and we surely don’t want it in our government,” the GOP lawmaker posted online.
The high-profile departure comes after the ODNI recently hired Dan Caldwell, a former aide to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who was accused of leaking classified information and was ousted from the Pentagon in April, along with two other aides, an administration official told The Hill.
Kent’s resignation also comes two days before Gabbard is set to testimony on Capitol Hill for the House Intelligence Committee’s annual worldwide threats assessment hearing. She is slated to appear alongside the heads of the CIA, FBI and other intelligence agencies.
– Filip Timotija contributed.
Updated: 10:25 a.m.