Joe Kent, the Director of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), has resigned in protest over the ongoing U.S. war with Iran under President Donald Trump. Kent, a decorated veteran, former CIA paramilitary officer, and longtime Trump supporter, announced his resignation on March 17, 2026.
In a public letter posted on X, he stated that he could not “in good conscience” continue supporting the conflict. He claimed:Iran posed no imminent threat to the United States. The U.S. “started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.” The administration had been influenced by a “misinformation campaign.”
He urged Trump to “reverse course” and expressed concern about sending American troops into an unnecessary war. This marks the first high-profile resignation from within Trump’s administration over the Iran conflict, which appears to involve U.S.-backed or -led military actions including strikes alongside Israel, now in its third week or so based on reports.
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Kent’s departure highlights emerging divisions within Trump’s base and national security circles regarding the justification and escalation of the war.
AP News: Emphasizing his view that Iran was not an imminent threat. Noting the protest against the U.S. war on Iran. Trump has reportedly downplayed the resignation, with some coverage indicating he appears unfazed, though figures like Steve Bannon have commented on potential ongoing fallout.
The resignation coincides with other developments in the conflict, such as Israeli strikes killing senior Iranian figures. It has sparked discussions about internal dissent, potential risks to U.S. security focus, and broader implications for the administration’s foreign policy.
Steve Bannon has commented on the fallout from Joe Kent’s resignation as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), framing it as a serious issue that “isn’t going away” and signaling deeper divisions within the MAGA/Trump base over the Iran war.Key points from reports and coverage: Bannon warned that the resignation and Kent’s claims represent ongoing tension.
He emphasized the need for “answers” as the fallout continues to unfold, suggesting this highlights unresolved questions about how the conflict escalated and who influenced the decision-making. This aligns with Bannon’s broader “America First” skepticism toward Middle East interventions, particularly any perceived shifts away from Trump’s original objectives.
Earlier War Room commentary from Bannon (pre-resignation) criticized how the conflict “shifted” due to Israeli actions, arguing Israel is a “protectorate” whose moves must align with U.S. goals—not dictate them. Some coverage notes indirect support or sympathy from Bannon-aligned figures.
For instance, Grace Chong; a close Bannon associate and War Room contributor praised Kent’s stand as “REAL COURAGE” and true “putting America first.” However, Bannon himself has not issued a direct, lengthy public endorsement or condemnation of Kent personally in the immediate aftermath. His comments focus more on the broader implications for the administration, the base, and the war’s direction—warning of persistent dissent rather than dismissing or attacking Kent outright.
Trump allies and administration figures have largely turned against Kent; calling him a “crazed egomaniac” or similar in smears, while isolationist voices see his exit as exposing internal rifts. Bannon appears to position the episode as evidence that criticism from the anti-interventionist wing won’t fade quietly.
This comes amid mixed reactions: Trump downplayed the resignation, some MAGA hardliners called it “good riddance,” and others including Bannon’s circle view it as a principled stand against unnecessary escalation. Bannon’s take underscores potential ongoing “fallout” in terms of base fractures, demands for transparency, and questions about foreign influence on U.S. policy.
No major new direct Bannon statement has surfaced in the last day, but his War Room platform has historically amplified similar concerns about the Iran conflict’s trajectory.