Top Trump Intel Official Resigns, Says Iran War Was Unjustified
Joe Kent, the director of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center and a decorated former Army Ranger and CIA officer, resigned on Tuesday, marking the first departure of a high-ranking Trump administration official over the ongoing war with Iran. In his resignation, Kent stated he "cannot in good conscience support" the conflict, asserting that Iran "posed no imminent threat" to the United States, a direct challenge to the administration's justification for military action. Kent's resignation has ignited debate within the conservative movement, drawing praise from opponents of the war, including some within Trump's political base, while his record was criticized by others. The conflict itself continues to escalate, with reports of the U.S. using 5,000-pound bombs on Iranian missile sites and deploying additional Marines to the region, even as attacks persist on U.S. diplomatic facilities in Iraq. In his criticism, Kent went beyond questioning the intelligence, alleging that a misinformation campaign driven by top Israeli officials "wholly undermined" the America First platform and fueled pro-war sentiment, suggesting the conflict was driven by external pressure rather than an immediate national security necessity. His departure as a long-time Trump supporter and key counterterrorism figure signals a significant internal rift over the administration's foreign policy and the intelligence used to justify the war.
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U.S. counterterrorism director Joe Kent resigns over war: 'Iran posed no imminent threat'
Kent's resignation announcement Tuesday morning drew divisive reactions. Opponents of the war, including both Democrats and some who have identified with Trump's MAGA movement, praised Kent. "Joe Kent's record is deeply troubling, and in my view he never should have been confirmed to lead the ...
Joe Kent resigns as head of the US National counterterrorism center after saying Iran posed no imminent threat. WASHINGTON − The head of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center resigned March 17, saying he “cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran,” the first top Trump administration official to quit over the conflict. Joe Kent, a decorated former Army Ranger and CIA paramilitary officer, was a top aide to Director of National Intelligence ...
Joe Kent resigns: Top US intel official says Iran posed no threat, Trump started war under Israeli pressure- The Week
Joe Kent, who was the head of the USA's National Counterterrorism Center, slammed top Israeli officials for launching a misinformation campaign that "wholly undermined" the America First platform and drove pro-war sentiments
Day 18 of Middle East conflict — top Iranian leaders killed, Trump administration official quits | CNN
The US, meanwhile, dropped 5,000-pound guided bombs on Iranian missile sites along the Hormuz strait. There have also been renewed attacks at the US Embassy in Baghdad. • Marines on their way: A US warship believed to be carrying Marines and sailors to the Middle East was nearing the Malacca Strait off Singapore as it made its way to the region, maritime tracking data showed Tuesday. • Intel official ...
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