Top Trump counterterrorism official Joe Kent resigns over Iran, saying it "posed no imminent threat to our nation" - CBS News

CBS News
March 18, 2026
3 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

Trump's top counterterrorism official resigned over disagreement that Iran posed no imminent threat.

AI Summary

Joe Kent, a top counterterrorism official in the Trump administration, has resigned over disagreements regarding Iran policy, specifically contending that Iran "posed no imminent threat to our nation." Kent's departure signals internal discord within the White House on how to approach Tehran, a key foreign policy issue for the administration. The resignation reflects tension between different factions within Trump's national security apparatus over the appropriate level of military readiness or confrontational posture toward Iran. Kent's exit comes as the administration continues to navigate Middle East strategy following years of elevated U.S.-Iran tensions. His public criticism of administration policy on Iran indicates potential disagreement over the administration's current approach to counterterrorism in the region.

Source Coverage Map

8 of 43 tracked sources covered this story

Overlooked Story
19% coverage
Did Not Cover (35)
ICIJ97AP World News96AP US News96AP Top News96ProPublica95+30 more

Following this story?

Get notified when new coverage appears

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

Top counterterrorism official Kent resigns over Trump's Iran war, says Iran posed no imminent threat - AP News
National Security

Top 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>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsMar 17
What to know about the resignation of Joe Kent as Trump’s counterterrorism chief - AP News
Politics

What to know about the resignation of Joe Kent as Trump’s counterterrorism chief - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMinwFBVV95cUxPWVdkRnhrTEFTVjc4REYzUnJ5dU5zeENqd3R0V004cEZEekJmNjBkeVlnMEFabERvTUczdWNvVUJoaDZxNmxRVlBiSXhmeVdkSlhZVElZMXdiZ0J1NDlPemkwTjRuVHh0dFBza0VPRUFIS2kySDRXaWhqeG9laDlqQUp1NjNMZ0M2MERLV0prR0FXdXI4OXBlWml0MVdWWkk?oc=5" target="_blank">What to know about the resignation of Joe Kent as Trump’s counterterrorism chief</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsMar 17
Gabbard defers to Trump when asked if Iran posed "imminent threat"
National Security

Gabbard defers to Trump when asked if Iran posed "imminent threat"

<p>Director of National Intelligence <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/03/gabbard-trump-request-fbi-elections-raid-georgia" target="_blank">Tulsi Gabbard</a> said that only the president can determine if a nation poses an "imminent threat" during a Wednesday Senate hearing on worldwide threats.</p><p><strong>Why it matters: </strong>The spotlight on Gabbard, who has been largely quiet about the U.S.-Israeli strikes on <a href="https://www.axios.com/world/iran" target="_blank">Iran</a>, has intensified after top aide <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/17/joe-kent-resigns-trump-iran-israel-threat" target="_blank">Joe Kent</a>, who directed the National Counterterrorism Center, announced his resignation in a scathing letter about the war.</p><hr><ul><li>The White House <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2026/03/peace-through-strength-president-trump-launches-operation-epic-fury-to-crush-iranian-regime-end-nuclear-threat/" target="_blank">said</a> that Iran posed an i...

AxiosMar 18
Top US intelligence officials set to testify about Iran war and threats confronting the homeland - AP News
National Security

Top 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>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsMar 18
3/17: The Takeout with Major Garrett
National Security

3/17: The Takeout with Major Garrett

Top U.S. counterterrorism official Joe Kent resigns over Iran war; senior Iranian leader Ali Larijani killed in airstrike.

CBS NewsMar 18
Trump’s FCC chair wants American media to work like Iran’s state TV | Caitlin Vogus
Government Transparency

Trump’s FCC chair wants American media to work like Iran’s state TV | Caitlin Vogus

<p>If Brendan Carr and the US president’s attacks on the press aren’t stopped, the outcome could be dire</p><p>Over the weekend, Donald Trump fumed on Truth Social about newspapers covering attacks on US tanker aircrafts in Saudi Arabia. Within hours, Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/14/fcc-broadcast-permits-iran-war-news">reposted</a> Trump’s rant and vowed to revoke the licenses of broadcasters who air what he called “fake news”. For some extra brownie points, Carr tossed in a line about Trump’s “landslide election victory”, too.</p><p>Early on Monday, Trump completed the sycophantic cycle with a second post <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/16/trump-fcc-chair-broadcast-license-threat-iran-war">announcing</a> that he’s “thrilled” by Carr’s threats and accusing unnamed media outlets of “treason” and a lack of patriotism for reporting on AI fakes linked to Iran. (It’s not clear what Trump w...

The Guardian US NewsMar 17
Read Next
Top counterterrorism official resigns over the Iran war, saying "Iran posed no imminent threat"
National Security

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.

Continue reading

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.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources