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He then delivered a stunning rebuke of current U.S. policy: “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.”
Kent closed his letter on a more formal note, acknowledging his service while signaling a clear break: “It has been an honor serving under @POTUS and @DNIGabbard and leading the professionals at NCTC.”
Despite Kent’s past loyalty to Trump, the president showed little patience for what he viewed as a dangerous miscalculation. Speaking to reporters, Trump dismissed Kent’s stance and framed the resignation as ultimately beneficial.
“When I read his statement, I realized that it’s a good thing that he’s out because he said that Iran was not a threat. Iran was a threat – every country realized what a threat Iran was,” Trump said. “When somebody is working with us that says they didn’t think Iran is a threat – we don’t want those people.”
Behind the scenes, the situation appears even more serious.
Reports surfaced shortly after Kent’s resignation suggesting he had been under FBI investigation for allegedly leaking classified information to members of the media. While details remain limited, Leavitt strongly hinted that the administration is taking a zero-tolerance approach to such breaches.
“Anyone who has been suspected of leaking or is proven to be a leaker will not be welcome in this administration,” she said. “I know that for a fact because I’ve heard the President say it myself.”
As the controversy unfolded, Gabbard stepped forward to defend both the administration and the president’s authority in matters of national security. In a post on X, she emphasized the commander-in-chief’s role in determining threats and directing action.
“As our Commander in Chief, he is responsible for determining what is and is not an imminent threat, and whether or not to take action he deems necessary to protect the safety and security of our troops, the American people and our country.”
At the heart of the dispute is a fundamental disagreement over whether Iran posed an immediate danger to the United States prior to recent military action. The Trump administration has maintained that it acted in response to an “imminent threat,” citing intelligence indicating potential attacks on U.S. forces in the region.
However, conflicting accounts have emerged from Pentagon briefings to lawmakers, where officials reportedly indicated that Iran was not planning an attack unless provoked. That contradiction has fueled debate in Washington and added to the intensity of Kent’s claims.
In his resignation letter, Kent pointed to what he described as a broader pattern of misjudgment and external influence shaping U.S. policy. Referencing past conflicts, he warned against repeating what he views as historic mistakes.
“Until June of 2025, you understood that the wars in the Middle East were a trap that robbed America of the precious lives of our patriots and depleted the wealth and prosperity of our nation,” Kent wrote.
He contrasted Trump’s earlier approach with the current situation, noting that the president once knew how to apply force without becoming entangled in prolonged conflict. Kent specifically cited the targeted killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani as an example of decisive action without escalation.
But his most explosive claim came in his warning about alleged misinformation. “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 victory,” he wrote. “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.”
As tensions continue to rise, the administration is drawing a firm line: loyalty, discipline, and alignment with the president’s national security vision are non-negotiable. And for now, despite the noise, Trump is standing squarely behind Tulsi Gabbard.
