GOP lawmaker blasts Joe Kent’s resignation over Iran war: ‘good riddance’

The Hill
by Ashleigh Fields
March 17, 2026
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3 min read

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GOP Rep. Don Bacon criticized counterterrorism chief Joe Kent for resigning over Iran war.

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GOP Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska publicly criticized Joe Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, after Kent resigned over disagreements regarding U.S. military action against Iran. Bacon dismissed Kent's departure as justified, citing Iran's history of attacks on Americans, including the use of explosive devices that killed U.S. service members in Iraq. The rebuke reflects internal Republican divisions over Iran policy and how the Trump administration should respond to Iranian threats. Kent's resignation signals tension within the counterterrorism establishment over the administration's approach to the Middle East. The clash underscores ongoing debate within GOP ranks about how aggressively to confront Tehran.

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