Joe Kent quits as US counterterror chief, opposes Iran war in letter to Trump
The director of the United States’ National Counterterrorism Center, Joe Kent, has resigned, citing strong opposition to the ongoing war with Iran and urging President Donald Trump to reconsider the conflict.
Announcing his decision on Tuesday, Kent said he stepped down after “much reflection,” asserting that Iran did not pose an immediate threat to the United States.
In a letter addressed to Trump, he wrote:
“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,”
Personal loss and military experience
Kent, a military veteran, also referred to his personal loss, saying his wife was killed in a previous conflict.
“As a veteran who deployed to combat 11 times and as a Gold Star husband who lost my beloved wife Shannon in a war manufactured by Israel, I cannot support sending the next generation off to fight and die in a war that serves no benefit to the American people nor justifies the cost of American lives,” he wrote.
Message to Trump
Once a strong supporter of Trump, Kent said the President had earlier understood the risks of prolonged Middle East conflicts.
“In your first administration, you understood better than any modern President how to decisively apply military power without getting us drawn into never-ending wars. You demonstrated this by killing Qasam Solamani and by defeating ISIS,” he said.
Claims of misinformation
Kent further alleged that the decision to go to war was influenced by misinformation and external pressure.
“Early in this administration, high-ranking Israeli officials and influential members of the American media deployed a misinformation campaign that wholly undermined your America First platform and sowed pro-war sentiments to encourage a war with Iran. This echo chamber was used to deceive you into believing that Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States, and that should you strike now, there was a clear path to a swift victory,” he wrote.
He added:
“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. We cannot make this mistake again,”
Urges course correction
In his concluding remarks, Kent urged Trump to rethink the US approach.
“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. 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. It was an honor to serve in your administration and to serve our great nation.”
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