‘A good thing he’s out’: Trump unloads on ‘very weak’ counterterror official who is quitting over Iran war
President Donald Trump on Tuesday reacted to the resignation of the director of the National Counterterrorism Center who objects to Operation Epic Fury against Iran by saying: “It’s a good thing he’s out” and that he’s “very weak on security.”
Joe Kent, who says it was “an honor” to serve Trump, announced on X: “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.”
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
Kent was serving under Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence.
In his resignation letter, he cited a “misinformation campaign” by high-ranking Israeli officials and influential members of U.S. media that undermined Trump’s America First platform.
“This echo chamber was used to deceive you into believing Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States, and that should you strike now, there was a clear path to a swift victory,” Kent wrote. “This was a lie and is the same tactic the Israelis used to draw us into the disastrous Iraq war that cost our nation the lives of thousands of our best men and women.”
“I pray that you will reflect upon what we are doing in Iran, and who we are doing it for. The time for bold action is now,” Kent continued. “You can reverse course and chart a new path for our nation, or you can allow us to slip further toward decline and chaos. You hold the cards.”
Jacqui Heinrich of Fox News reported: “Senior admin official says Joe Kent was ‘a known leaker’ – and was cut out of POTUS intelligence briefings months ago. He has not been part of any Iran planning discussions or briefings at all. Official says also the White House told DNI Gabbard Kent should be fired for suspected leaks, but she never did.”
During an Oval Office meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin on Tuesday, Trump said of Kent’s resignation: “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,” he said. “But when I read his statement, I realized that it’s a good thing that he’s out because he said Iran was not a threat. Every country realized what a threat Iran was.”
President Trump on resignation of Joe Kent, Director of National Counterterrorism Center:” I always thought he was weak on security.” pic.twitter.com/6zZB6fnflT
— CSPAN (@cspan) March 17, 2026
“When somebody is working is with us that says they didn’t think Iran was threat, we don’t want those people. And there’s some people, I guess, that would say that, but they’re not smart people or they’re not savvy people.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed the president about Kent, saying: “There are many false claims in this letter but let me address one specifically: that ‘Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation.’
She says evidence of Iran’s imminent threat “was compiled from many sources and factors. President Trump would never make the decision to deploy military assets against a foreign adversary in a vacuum. Iran is the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism. The Iranian regime is evil. It proudly killed Americans, waged war against our country, and openly threatened us all the way up to the launch of Operation Epic Fury.”
Leavitt concluded: “The Commander-in-Chief determines what does and does not constitute a threat, because he is the one constitutionally empowered to do so – and because the American people went to the ballot box and entrusted him and him alone to make such final judgments.
“And finally, the absurd allegation that President Trump made this decision based on the influence of others, even foreign countries, is both insulting and laughable. President Trump has been remarkably consistent and has said for DECADES that Iran can NEVER possess a nuclear weapon.
“As someone who actually witnesses President Trump’s decision-making process on a daily basis, I can attest to the fact that he is always looking to do what’s in the best interest of the United States of America – period.”
Kent pinned Trump’s announcement of his nomination to the top of his X page, where the president had stated in February 2025: “As a Soldier, Green Beret, and CIA officer, Joe has hunted down terrorists and criminals his entire adult life.”
Thank you President Trump!
It’s an honor to serve our nation again, time to keep our nation safe & strong! pic.twitter.com/yxyknrTTMN
— Joe Kent (@joekent16jan19) February 4, 2025
Follow Joe on X @JoeKovacsNews