Joe Kent: Charlie Kirk told me ‘stop us from getting into a war with Iran’
Quick Insights
The Bottom Line
Resigned intelligence official claims conservative activist sought to prevent Trump administration Iran military action.
AI Summary
Joe Kent, a recently resigned intelligence official, revealed that conservative activist Charlie Kirk asked him last summer to discourage the Trump administration from entering a war with Iran. Kent's disclosure comes after he stepped down following U.S. military strikes against Iran, suggesting internal tension within the administration over Middle East military policy. Kirk's appeal to Kent indicates concern among some conservative figures about potential escalation in the region. Kent's resignation and public statement suggest disagreement with the administration's Iran approach among national security officials. The disclosure raises questions about the depth of divisions within Trump administration circles over military intervention in the Middle East.
What's Being Done
Joe Kent has publicly disclosed the request; no investigation or formal action is mentioned in the article.
Source Coverage Map
9 of 43 tracked sources covered this story
Following this story?
Get notified when new coverage appears
Other Sources Covering This Story
5 sourcesMultiple outlets have reported on this story. Compare perspectives from different sources.
This article is part of a story we're tracking:
Should this be getting more attention?
You Might Have Missed
Related stories from different sources and perspectives
National SecurityTop counterterrorism official Kent resigns over Trump's Iran war, says Iran posed no imminent threat - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMilgFBVV95cUxQY3hKc1k0enEwcnVPOWVCLXZqVUdUSGRMZDk2WkExSTlXZ2hobHdRWmZqUDBkVUhCN1JUOGVDblVzRG4yLU5Jc2xhSHdQWG1GRFpzTTY4V05TWTNNMWI0WlgyS1JLTU42MEI4UnAwa3FSMllYWjRCUU5UYkpETUNsal95enVVRXVDdWU5Z2lPRHI3a0Zwa1E?oc=5" target="_blank">Top counterterrorism official Kent resigns over Trump's Iran war, says Iran posed no imminent threat</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
Joe Kent's resignation over Iran war reignites antisemitism fears and debate over Israeli influence - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMirwFBVV95cUxONDR0WEFoUFMyR194WUxLZzFDX3ZPZDY4ZmRJUjNOTWk2cnl5aHJ0WFhMb2hwVzBZTVdmb3pKamJkcXRaN3RoU0RqdFp5dnUwQWpRYUtvTUwtMlpSa2luZlUweFV0djZjQkNzOWtPeHRTVDBsNmRWNnNYeXltYVZxb2hGQTFaMS00WkdCZm5jVDRzbFBVbXJjdHIxTHZWYVdHem4ta1ZkQnJlTG1XOGEw?oc=5" target="_blank">Joe Kent's resignation over Iran war reignites antisemitism fears and debate over Israeli influence</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
National SecurityTop US intelligence officials set to testify about Iran war and threats confronting the homeland - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiogFBVV95cUxOd2VMakp5b1J4bzJxcGR2Y1ZOR2dDeE1ZZTRXN01EZnRrVWgyTW5fS3l3cWRfU0l6WVhOTER6VXg5TGFyTDhuZld0bkxfb05PaHZwYllKbVZSb181V0l3ODFLYUEwYTBJaE51VHVKX0FkNG9vMzZ0R1NaTzI0bUJRa3MzSnJfQWE0YXZZakZrNVd5clNRdmc5Smt0dzZRNmdvUHc?oc=5" target="_blank">Top US intelligence officials set to testify about Iran war and threats confronting the homeland</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
National SecurityREPLAY: Pentagon press conference on war in Middle East
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Thursday there is no "time frame" for ending the US-Israeli war against Iran, which was launched three weeks ago. "We wouldn't want to set a definitive time frame," Hegseth told a news conference, adding that "we're very much on track" and that President Donald Trump will be the one to decide when to stop. Hegseth also addressed a report that the Pentagon has requested more than $200 billion in additional funding from Congress to pay for the conflict.
National SecurityTop intelligence officials spar with senators at hearing on threats to U.S.
Top intelligence officials testified Wednesday at a Senate hearing on national security threats. Leaders, including Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, were pressed on some of the conflicting claims that continue to come from the Trump administration about the nuclear threat Iran did or did not pose before the war. Nancy Cordes reports.
PoliticsChief Justice John Roberts warns personal attacks on judges have 'got to stop' - NBC News

Top counterterrorism official resigns over the Iran war, saying "Iran posed no imminent threat"
Joe Kent, President Trump's director of the National Counterterrorism Center, resigned on Tuesday citing the Iran war and saying, "Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation." Kent, who was a controversial pick to lead the agency, is the first senior official to step down over the war and the first to resign during Mr. Trump's second term.
Did this story change how you see things?
Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.
The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.
See our sourcesMost Read This Week
Race on to establish globally recognised 'AI-free' logo

Biggest wildfire in Nebraska history continues to burn out of control - abcnews.com

TikTok and Meta risked safety to win algorithm arms race, whistleblowers say

Defense official reveals how AI chatbots could be used for targeting decisions

Bank of America reaches proposed, non-binding settlement in Jeffrey Epstein suit






