NCTC Director Joe Kent Resigns Claiming Iran Posed No Threat & Trump Started War for Israel Lobby – But This Old Resurfaced Tweet Shows a Totally Different Picture
You know that classic flip-flop moment when a high-level Trump appointee suddenly turns on the boss and blames “the Israel lobby” for a war — only for an old tweet to resurface and expose the hypocrisy? That’s exactly what just happened with Joe Kent, Director of the National Counterterrorism Center.
Kent announced his resignation effective today in a letter that reads like pure isolationist talking points:
“After much reflection, I have decided to resign from my position as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, effective today.
I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. 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.
It has been an honor serving under @POTUS and @DNIGabbard and leading the professionals at NCTC. May God bless America.”
Post:
After much reflection, I have decided to resign from my position as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, effective today.
I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this… pic.twitter.com/prtu86DpEr
— Joe Kent (@joekent16jan19) March 17, 2026
Full letter:
Kent — a former Green Beret and Gold Star husband — positioned himself as a staunch non-interventionist shaped by his wife’s death in Syria. But an old resurfaced tweet shows a **totally different tune**. The screenshot reveals Kent previously acknowledging the very real Iranian threat and supporting decisive action — the opposite of his new claim that Iran “posed no imminent threat.”
Post:
This isn’t principled disagreement. This is a sudden about-face the second Trump and Israel took the fight to the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism. Iran has spent decades arming proxies that killed Americans, built nuclear weapons, and attacked shipping lanes. Operation Epic Fury was a direct response to that — not some “lobby” conspiracy.
Kent’s resignation comes right after DNI Tulsi Gabbard lost a key deputy over the Iran war. The left and isolationist corners are cheering it as “brave,” but patriots see it for what it is: a high-level official bailing when the tough decisions get made.
Trump didn’t start this war for Israel. He finished what Iran started — decades of proxy attacks, nuclear blackmail, and “Death to America” chants. The same people who screamed “Iran is no threat” for years are now mad that Trump actually did something about it.
The resurfaced tweet proves Kent knew better. Now he’s singing a different song the moment real leadership is required. The Republic doesn’t need fair-weather warriors who fold when the Israel lobby (or any lobby) gets mentioned.
Trump and Gabbard are draining the swamp. Kent just drained himself. Good riddance.
**Opinion Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article, including criticisms of Joe Kent’s resignation and praise for President Trump’s Iran policy, reflect a critical perspective and may not align with all readers. Facts are based on public statements, the resignation letter, and resurfaced posts; readers should form their own conclusions.**
Mark Van der Veen offers some of the most analytical and insightful writings on politics. He regularly opines on the motives and political calculations of politicians and candidates, and whether or not their strategy will work. Van der Veen offers a contrast to many on this list by sticking mainly to a fact-based style of writing that is generally combative with opposing ideologies.
