Joe Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, testifies during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing titled “Worldwide Threats to the Homeland” Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2025, at the Cannon Building.
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Joe Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, announced Tuesday that he is resigning in response to the Trump administration’s war against Iran.
“I cannot in good conscience support an ongoing war,” Kent wrote in a letter addressed to President Donald Trump, posted on Kent’s personal X account.
Kent, a purveyor of far-right conspiracy theories who was narrowly confirmed by the Senate for the director’s role last July, accused the president of being manipulated by Israel into supporting the war.
“Iran poses no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war because of pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby,” Kent wrote in his letter.
The White House and the National Counterterrorism Center did not immediately respond to CNBC’s requests for comment.
The Director of the NCTC leads US counterterrorism and counternarcotics efforts and advises the President directly. An hour after Kent announced his resignation, he was still listed as the center’s director on its official government website.
The NCTC is housed within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, led by Tulsi Gabbard, who has remained silent on the Trump administration’s recent military actions against war with Iran.
ODNI did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
This is developing news. Please check back for updates.
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