Trump reacts to exit of counterterrorism chief who resigned over Iran war

President Donald Trump has reacted sharply to the resignation of Joseph Kent, former director of the National Counterterrorism Center, dismissing the departing official as weak on national security following his decision to step down in protest over the ongoing conflict with Iran.

Kent resigned amid escalating hostilities in the Middle East, which began on February 28 after Israel launched what it described as pre-emptive missile strikes on Iran, with the United States later confirming its involvement. The conflict has since spiralled into sustained exchanges between Iranian, American, and Israeli forces, heightening fears of a prolonged regional war.

Responding to Kent’s exit during an interview on Fox News, Trump expressed no regret over the development, insisting the resignation was ultimately beneficial.

“I always thought he was weak on security. Very weak on security. I didn’t know him well. But I thought he seemed like a pretty nice guy.

“But when I read his statement, I realised that it’s a good thing he’s out because he said Iran was not a threat.”

Before his resignation, Kent headed the NCTC, the central agency responsible for coordinating and analysing terrorism intelligence across U.S. government institutions, placing him at the core of America’s counterterrorism operations.

In a statement announcing his departure on Tuesday, Kent said he could no longer support the war effort after deep reflection.

“I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran,” he said.

He argued that the conflict was not justified by any immediate danger to the United States, blaming external influence for the escalation.

“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,” he stated.

Kent also referenced Trump’s earlier presidency, suggesting that current actions marked a departure from previously measured use of military force.

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“In your first administration, you understood better than any modern president how to decisively apply military power without getting us drawn into never-ending wars,” he said.

The former counterterrorism chief further alleged that influential actors had shaped public perception in favour of war, citing what he described as a coordinated campaign.

“Early in this administration, high-ranking Israeli officials and influential members of the American media deployed a misinformation campaign that undermined your America First platform and encouraged pro-war sentiments,” he said.

According to Kent, this created an “echo chamber” that misled decision-makers into believing the conflict was both necessary and winnable.

“This was a lie and is the same tactic used to draw us into the disastrous Iraq war,” Kent added.

Drawing from his own experience—having been deployed to combat zones 11 times—he warned against repeating past mistakes that have cost American lives.

“I cannot support sending the next generation to fight and die in a war that serves no benefit to the American people,” he said.

Kent also urged the president to reassess the country’s role in the conflict and reconsider the motivations behind its involvement.

His resignation marks the first open dissent by a senior official within the Trump administration over the Iran war, highlighting emerging cracks within the U.S. national security establishment.

Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers have intensified pressure on Congress to intervene, calling for the use of constitutional powers to halt American military involvement in the Middle East.

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