Counter-Terrorism Director Under Trump Resigns Over Iran War Stance

Joe Kent, the director of the Trump administration's counter-terrorism center, has resigned from his post citing disagreement with the issue and process of a war with Iran.

In a statement released via social media, he urged President Trump to change his stance.

Kent, the director of the center, stated in a letter posted on his X account that Iran does not pose an immediate threat to the United States.

He claimed that the Trump administration initiated this war under pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.

The 45-year-old Kent, an experienced figure from US Special Forces and the CIA, has long contributed to the nation's interests both at home and abroad.

His wife, Shannon Kent, also served in the US Navy as a 'Cryptologic Technician'. Mrs. Kent was killed in a suicide attack in Syria in 2019.

Joe Kent stated in his letter, "By June 2025, Trump will have understood that war in the Middle East has deprived America of the precious lives of our patriots and diminished our nation's wealth and prosperity." Kent further stated, "High-ranking Israeli officials and influential American journalists spread 'misinformation,' which weakened Trump's 'America First' platform." The letter continued, "This was used to convince you that Iran is a major threat to America. This was a lie."

Kent, a long-time supporter of Trump, was appointed director of the US Counter-Terrorism Center in July last year.

Previously, Kent had been deployed abroad 11 times with the US military, including deployments with US military special forces in Iraq.

Kent, who also has experience working for the US intelligence agency CIA, left government service after his wife's death.

In his letter, Kent cited his military service and the death of his wife, stating, "He cannot support sending another generation to fight and die in wars that do not serve the interests of the American people and do not justify the cost of American lives."

Many senior officials in President Donald Trump's administration have resigned, including Margaret Ryan, Director of Enforcement at the Securities and Exchange Commission, and Rick Grenell, Chairman of the Kennedy Center.

However, the rate of officer turnover in the President's second term is much lower compared to his first term from 2017 to 2021.