Trending Now - Former Trump Official Joe Kent Resigns Amid Controversy

WHO:

Joe Kent, National Counterterrorism Center Director

President Trump

Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence

Mitch McConnell, GOP Senator from Kentucky

Miles Taylor, former chief of staff at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Nick Fuentes, right-wing white nationalist

Graham Jorgensen, member of the Proud Boys

Joey Gibson, founder of the Christian nationalist group Patriot Prayer

WHAT:

Joe Kent resigned as National Counterterrorism Center director on March 17th, 2026.

Kent's resignation letter stated that Iran "posed no imminent threat" to the U.S.

Kent claimed the U.S. started the war with Iran due to pressure from Israel and its American lobby.

Trump stated on February 28th, 2026, that his objective was "eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime."

Kent's resignation letter was posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Kent was confirmed as director on July 2025 with a Senate vote of 52-44.

Kent has been a Trump supporter since the 2016 campaign and through various events including the January 6th riots.

WHERE:

The National Counterterrorism Center, Washington D.C.

Social media platform X (formerly Twitter)

WHEN:

Kent resigned on March 17th, 2026.

Trump announced airstrikes on Iran on February 28th, 2026.

Kent was confirmed on July 2025.

WHY:

Kent's resignation was prompted by his disagreement with Trump's justification for the war in Iran.

Kent suggested that misinformation from Israeli officials and American media influenced the decision to go to war.

HOW:

Kent's resignation was communicated through a letter posted on social media.

Kent's previous roles included serving as a special forces combat veteran and a paramilitary officer with the CIA.

(UPDATED March 18, 2026 23:17 UTC)

Joe Kent resigned as the director of the National Counterterrorism Center on March 17, 2026, citing his disagreement with President Trump's justification for the war in Iran, which he claimed was influenced by misinformation from Israeli officials and American media. In his resignation letter, which was shared on social media, Kent stated that Iran "posed no imminent threat" to the U.S., a stark contrast to Trump's earlier comments about eliminating threats from the Iranian regime. Kent, who has been a Trump supporter since the 2016 campaign, was confirmed as director in July 2025 with a Senate vote of 52-44.