Joe Kent, the outgoing director of the US National Counterterrorism Center, has resigned in protest of the Trump administration’s military action against Iran, prompting a sharp and dismissive response from President Trump.
Kent announced his resignation, stating that he could not support a war that he believes was unjustified. In his statement, he argued that Iran posed no immediate threat to the United States and that the conflict was influenced by external pressure—claims Trump has categorically denied.
Responding to the resignation at the White House, Trump did not hold back. He described Kent as “weak on security” and made it clear there was no place in his administration for officials who questioned the threat posed by Iran.
“They’re not smart people, or they’re not savvy people,” Trump said. “Iran was a tremendous threat.”
Kent, who was confirmed to the role last year, had been responsible for overseeing intelligence efforts to detect and prevent terrorist threats. His departure highlights growing internal divisions within Trump’s administration and political base over the justification for the Iran campaign.
While some lawmakers, including Mark Warner, backed Kent’s concerns and questioned the intelligence behind the war, Republican leaders such as Mike Johnson defended the president’s decision, insisting there was credible evidence of an imminent threat.
The resignation comes at a tense moment, with rising fears about domestic security following recent violent incidents in multiple U.S. states. Meanwhile, top intelligence officials are expected to face tough questions from lawmakers over the Iran war and the intelligence used to justify it.