Summary resignation of failed leaker Joe Kent and reaction

Compiled | March 17, 2026

[Milagros]

The resignation of Joe Kent as head of the National Counterterrorism Center triggered widespread political reaction centered on U.S. policy toward Iran.

Administration response

Donald Trump welcomed Kent’s departure, criticizing his view that Iran was not a threat and asserting the opposite. Tulsi Gabbard emphasized that the president determines national security threats and stated that Trump concluded Iran posed an imminent danger requiring action.

Kent’s position and resignation

Kent resigned amid disagreements with the administration’s approach to Iran, including military action. In his statements, he argued Iran was not a direct threat and suggested U.S. decisions were influenced (supposedly) by Israel.

Criticism and allegations

• The Anti-Defamation League and (even anti-Israel) J Street said his remarks echoed antisemitic conspiracy theories.
• Rep. Don Bacon supported his resignation and criticized both Iran and antisemitism.
• Reports also pointed to Kent’s past associations with extremist racist figures and earlier controversies, including election denialism.

Reactions within conservative circles

• Laura Loomer and others accused Kent of inconsistency, citing his prior statements that Iran had threatened Trump following the killing of Qasem Soleimani.
• Some allies labeled him disloyal or a leaker, with reports claiming he had been excluded from intelligence briefings before resigning.

Political reactions

Although Democrats had previously opposed Kent’s nomination due to his ties and views, some of them, suddenly promoted his "theories" in their overall anti Trump war.

References

• Eric Mack, Fox News (March 17, 2026): Trump bids goodbye to intel official who resigned over Iran [link]
• Bill Barrow, Associated Press (via KOAT): What to know about Joe Kent’s resignation [*]
• Andrew Bernard, JNS (March 17, 2026): US counterterror center head resigns over Iran war [*]
• Marc Rod, Jewish Insider (March 17, 2026): Democrats elevate Kent’s resignation letter [link
• Times of India (March 18, 2026): Tulsi Gabbard and Joe Kent controversy [link]
• X (Twitter) posts:
  • @JKash000 (March 17, 2026) [link (*)]
  • Laura Loomer (March 17, 2026) [link (*)]
  • Rep. Don Bacon (March 17, 2026) [link (*)]
  • Anti-Defamation League (March 17, 2026)[link (*)]
  • Tulsi Gabbard (March 17, 2026) [link (*)]

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TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Military/Veterans; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: joekent; leaker

[JZelle]

I really thought he’d be different but these shits are everywhere.

[KingLudd]

Mark Levin is “talking” about him now.

How has ML not blown a gasket by now?

[Fireone]

“his view that Iran was not a threat”
I disagree with his view. In my world the chant “Death to America” is considered a threat.
Not sure what color the sky is in Kent’s world. Good riddance.

[Uncle Miltie]

“ Not sure what color the sky is in Kent’s world.”

It’s gray. He’s from Washington State.

[ChuckHam]

He is a poser in conservative circles. His background is Liberaltarian and Dim. Like most so-called conservatives he’s a fake.

[DesertRhino]

Today was an amazing zionist shill freakout. My twitter feed was utterly filled with them. Levin tweeted at least 10 times about it.

Joe Kent was obviously right directly over the target.

[McGruff]

Why are you listening to Mark Levin?

[Fresh Wind]

So a country run by a gang of bloodthirsty Muslims on the verge of having nuclear weapons, and the means to deliver them, isn’t an “imminent threat”?

Good riddance to this moron, who blamed Israel for the terrorist attack that killed his wife.

[TexasGator]

“Why are you listening to Mark Levin?”

Very educational

[vivenne]

So you are relying on Don Bacon and Laura Loomer?

[Fledermaus]

I am right now.

[FreeReign]

From the Loomer link, I see Kent tweeted that Iran was a threat in September of 2024...

Joe Kent@joekent16jan19
Sep 25, 2024

Iran has been after Trump since January of 2020 after he ordered the targeted killing of the terrorist Qasem Soleimani.

This isn’t a new threat.

Link

[OldHarbor]

Pakistan has had nukes for a while. What’s holding them in check ?

[Miami Rebel]

Who did he report to?

The same woman who regularly told us that Russia and Iran were no threats.

[FreeReign]

So you are relying on Don Bacon and Laura Loomer?

Loomer showed Kent's post from Sep. 2024. It's very informative.

[FreeReign]

The same woman who regularly told us that Russia and Iran were no threats.

Tulsi recently testified that Iran IS a threat...

Link

[KingLudd]

“Why are you listening to Mark Levin?”

I’m listening to Mark Levin because I can’t get Larry Lujack on my radio.

[willk]

“Joe Kent was obviously right directly over the target.”

Problem is the target was us. You really need to examine your anti-Semitism. You can’t seem to post without some reference to Jews or Israel or Zionism.

[Miami Rebel]

A regular Saul of Tarsus conversion. Hallelujah!