Kent Resigns: No Immediate Iran Threat, US Security Shift

WASHINGTON – A top security official in the Trump administration resigned on March 17, stating that Iran posed no imminent threat to the United States, prompting criticism and debate over the justification for the ongoing conflict.

Resignation Over Iran War

Joe Kent, who headed the National Counterterrorism Center, is the first senior official in the Trump administration to resign over the conflict, which is now in its third week.

“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,” Kent wrote in a letter posted to social media.

Some experts have indicated that an imminent threat would be required under international law to justify a US military intervention.

White House Response

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said Kent’s letter contained “false claims.”

“As President Trump has clearly and explicitly stated, he had strong and compelling evidence that Iran was going to attack the United States first,” Leavitt said. “This evidence was compiled from many sources and factors.”

Kent did not respond to requests for comment. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which oversees the counter-terrorism center, also did not immediately respond.

Background and Controversy

Kent has long been known for his “America First” beliefs and has expressed opposition to US military interventions abroad. His resignation was described as a surprise by one US official.

Kent is close to director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who has maintained a low profile since the Iran war began.

“After carefully reviewing all the information before him, President Trump concluded that the terrorist Islamist regime in Iran posed an imminent threat and he took action based on that conclusion,” Gabbard said on social media on March 17.

The National Intelligence Council, overseen by Gabbard’s office, issued several assessments before and after the US strikes began, highlighting the risks of US intervention. These reports indicated the Iranian government was unlikely to collapse and would likely retaliate against US outposts in the region and Gulf allies.

Kent has faced criticism from Democrats for associations with far-right figures, including self-avowed white nationalist Nick Fuentes. Kent has since denounced Fuentes’ views.

Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said Kent should never have been confirmed to head the counter-terrorism office. “But on this point, he is right: There was no credible evidence of an imminent threat from Iran that would justify rushing the United States into another war of choice,” Warner said in a statement.

In 2025, Kent reportedly pushed intelligence analysts to rework an assessment on Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, which did not support the White House’s argument that then Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was directing the gang’s operations. The administration had portrayed the gang as a security threat to justify its immigration crackdown.