Top US Counterterror Official Resigns Over Iran War; DNI Gulfs
A top counterterrorism official, Joe Kent, resigned in protest of the administration’s plan for military action against Iran. His departure highlights Director Tulsi Gabbard as she defends President Donald Trump on Wednesday after carefully reviewing intelligence that concluded an imminent threat from Tehran existed despite deliberate Israeli misinformation regarding a swift victory path to war
Key Points
-
1Top US counterterrorism official Joe Kent has resigned in protest over the administration's decision on military action against Iran.
-
2Kent cited deliberate Israeli misinformation and lies provided by Israel regarding a 'swift path to victory' as reasons for his resignation, contrasting with Gabbard who also opposes intervention wars but hasn't publicly commented yet. Both officials are described as being part of an anti-intervention camp within the administration's circle.
Developments
Director Tulsi Gabbard defended President Trump's decision on military action against Iran as a response to an imminent threat posed by the Iranian regime following National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent's resignation over objections and allegations of deception regarding Israel-led pressure for war, while White House officials stated they sought Kent's removal due to suspected leaks despite claims he was not involved in planning discussions.
Kent wrote to Director Tulsi Gabbard praising Trump's past decisions on military intervention while accusing unnamed Israeli officials, American media members, and high-ranking government figures in an undisclosed campaign from sowing pro-war sentiments. Kent stated that until June 2025 he believed Middle East wars were a trap robbing America of lives and prosperity before the conflict began February 8th
Top Counterterrorism Official Kent accused Israel's government of deliberately misleading the US administration with false claims regarding an imminent military success. He stated that these deceptive narratives were used by Israeli officials, including those close to Director Tulsi Gabbard and President Donald Trump, as part of a strategy involving misinformation rather than factual reporting on their counterterrorist operations in Gaza or elsewhere