ThePrint ThePrintPod: Joe Kent, top US Counterterrorism official in Trump administration who resigned over Iran war
Mar 18, 2026
A top counterterrorism official resigns over the Iran war and explains why he cannot support continued conflict. The conversation covers his threat assessment that Iran posed no imminent danger. Listeners hear about his long military and intelligence service and how personal loss shaped his opposition to prolonged wars. The discussion compares current policy pressures to past Iraq-era groupthink.
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Highest Profile Resignation Over Iran War
- Joe Kent resigned as head of the National Counterterrorism Center citing inability to support the Iran war in good conscience.
- His exit is the highest-profile internal break from the Trump administration and came after less than eight months in the role.
Resignation Blames Echo Chamber Pushing War
- Kent argued Iran posed no imminent threat and called the conflict driven by pressure from Israel and allies in Washington.
- He said the president was misled into believing a quick victory was possible, framing the decision as influenced by an echo chamber.
Kent's Military and CIA Background
- Kent is a 45-year-old former US Army Special Forces soldier with 11 combat deployments, including Iraq.
- He then served as a CIA paramilitary officer before entering politics and running twice for Congress in Washington State.