Dear President Trump:

After much consideration, I have decided to resign as director of the National Counterterrorism Center, effective today. I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. Iran posed no immediate threat to our country, and it is clear that we started the war because of pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby. I support the values ​​and foreign policy you championed in 2016, 2020, and 2024, and which you implemented during your first term. Until June 2025, you understood that the wars in the Middle East were a trap that cost America precious patriotic lives and drained our nation of wealth and prosperity. During your first term, you understood better than any modern president how to decisively use military force without entangling us in endless wars. You demonstrated this by killing Qassem Soleimani and defeating ISIS.

Early in this administration, senior Israeli officials and influential members of the American media launched a disinformation campaign that completely undermined your "America First" platform and sowed pro-war sentiment to push for war with Iran. This information bubble was used to deceive you into believing that Iran posed an immediate threat to the United States and that if you struck now, you would have a clear path to a quick victory. This was a lie, and it is the same tactic the Israelis used to drag us into the disastrous Iraq War, which cost our country the lives of thousands of our finest men and women. We cannot repeat that mistake.

As an 11-time combat veteran and a husband who lost my beloved wife, Shannon, in a war provoked by Israel, I cannot support sending the next generation to a war that brings no benefit to the American people and does not justify the cost in American lives. I pray that you will consider what we are doing in Iran and for whom we are doing it. The time for bold action is now. You can change course and forge a new path for our country, or you can allow us to slide further into decline and chaos. The cards are in your hands. It has been an honor to serve in your administration and to serve our great country. Joe Kent, Director of the National Counterterrorism Center

"Well, I read his statement. I always thought he was a nice guy, but I always thought he was weak on security, very weak on security. I didn't know him very well, but I thought he was a pretty nice guy. But when I read his statement, I realized it was good that he went, because he said Iran wasn't a threat. Iran was a threat. Every country understood what a threat Iran was. The question was whether they wanted to do anything about it. And a lot of people, a lot of the greatest military scientists, have been saying for years that the president should have destroyed Iran because they wanted nuclear weapons." (c) Trump