Joe Kent, former Washington State congressional candidate and Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, has resigned from his position in protest of the Iran war. In his resignation letter to President Trump, Kent said Iran posed no imminent threat to the US and the war serves no benefit to the American people. 

He blamed pressure from Israel, and misinformation in the media, which he claimed deceived Trump into striking Iran. This is the first high-profile resignation in the administration tied to the war that is now in its third week. What could this signal both for the war and Trump's as-yet unshakeable base? 

Guest: Seattle Times reporter Jim Brunner

Related Articles:

Joe Kent resigns, says Iran posed ‘no imminent threat’

Joe Kent, former Washington State congressional candidate and Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, has resigned from his position in protest of the Iran war. In <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/03/17/us/joe-kent-resignation-letter-iran.html">his resignation letter</a> to President Trump, Kent said Iran posed no imminent threat to the US and the war serves no benefit to the American people. He blamed pressure from Israel, and <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/03/17/us/joe-kent-resignation-letter-iran.html">misinformation in the media</a>, which he claimed deceived Trump into striking Iran. This is the first high-profile resignation in the administration tied to the war that is now in its third week. What could this signal both for the war and Trump's as-yet unshakeable base?&nbsp;
Guest: Seattle Times reporter <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/author/jim-brunner/">Jim Brunner</a>
Related Articles:
<a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/joe-kent-resigns-says-iran-posed-no-imminent-threat/">Joe Kent resigns, says Iran posed &lsquo;no imminent threat&rsquo;</a>

Soundside

Joe Kent, former Washington State congressional candidate and Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, has resigned from his position in protest of the Iran war. In his resignation letter to President Trump, Kent said Iran posed no imminent threat to the US and the war serves no benefit to the American people. 