Joe Kent, the former director of the National Counterterrorism Center who resigned over the US and Israel's war against Iran, has said he is bracing for political retribution but would do it all again. In an interview with conservative podcaster Megyn Kelly, Kent acknowledged concerns about an FBI investigation into alleged leaking of classified information but insisted he did nothing wrong.
Kent, a former US Army special forces veteran, resigned on Tuesday, citing the war in Iran that President Donald Trump started without congressional authorization alongside Israel in late February. In his resignation letter, he stated that Iran posed no imminent threat and that the war was initiated due to pressure from Israel and its American lobby.
During the interview, Kent said he was 'not concerned because I know I did nothing wrong' but added: 'Of course, I am concerned because we’ve all seen the full weight of the FBI and the government come down on individuals who speak out.' He told Kelly: 'The important issues to address are what’s at hand – why we’re at war and how we get out of the state that we’re in right now.'
The White House dismissed Kent as 'weak on security', insisting Iran represented 'a tremendous threat'. Trump said: 'If somebody didn’t think it was a threat, we don’t want those people.' Kent's former boss, National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard, said she 'cannot say how much' she disagreed with his letter.
Kent has since gone on a conservative media tour, including appearances with Tucker Carlson and on the UnHerd podcast. He has accused outlets like Fox News, the Wall Street Journal editorial board, and the New York Post of echoing Israeli talking points, saying they 'short-circuited' negotiations over Iran's nuclear program. Asked if it was worth becoming a Maga enemy, Kent replied: 'Most certainly. I think I have a mission, and I think it is to do everything I can to stop this war.'
