The resignation of Joseph (Joe) Kent, from every angle, is significant and emblematic of the influence exerted by pro-Israel lobbying networks within the US decision-making structure. Regarded as a key figure in the foreign and security policy apparatus of the current US administration (Trump’s second term), Kent reportedly drew the ire of powerful pro-Israel circles in Washington for opposing the White House’s policy in the war with Iran. He also maintained that Iran could not, under any circumstances, be considered an imminent or active threat to the United States—positions that ultimately led to mounting pressure and his eventual resignation.

A View Shared by Many

Joseph Kent belongs to a group of American policymakers who believe that Washington’s approach in West Asia is shaped less by independent US strategic design than by Israeli influence and pressure. A staunch advocate of the “America First” doctrine, Kent has argued that the Trump administration’s regional policy diverges from that principle in practice, aligning more closely with what he described as “Israel First.” A notable segment of American politicians—including members of Congress—have held or continue to hold views similar to Kent’s.

Bernie Sanders, the independent US senator and a prominent critic, commented on Kent’s resignation, stating: “I cannot, in good conscience, support the ongoing war in Iran. Kent and I disagreed on many issues, but he is right that Iran posed no imminent threat to our country. It is clear that we entered this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.”

Comparable sentiments have also been expressed by certain academics, theorists, civil society activists, and even figures in the American arts and film community. One of the most recent and notable examples is the renowned filmmaker Morgan Freeman, who wrote on his social media page yesterday that Trump is “a terrorist, a racist, and a deceitful and criminal individual.” Declaring that “Trump is not my president,” he further described the White House as a terrorist organization. At the same time, reports and polling data emerging from within the United States point to a sharp decline in Trump’s popularity as a result of the war against Iran. Some surveys indicate that more than half of American citizens are dissatisfied with the extent to which Trump’s decisions in the war have been influenced by Israeli pressure.

Discontent of a Prominent Political and Security Figure

Joseph Kent’s extensive and notable record in the American political and security sphere is precisely what has made his resignation so consequential. His background combines high-level military experience in US Special Forces, senior roles within the national security establishment, and involvement in contentious political activity. Before entering politics, Kent served for more than two decades in the US Army. As a member of the Special Forces—commonly known as a “Green Beret”—he was deployed to combat zones 11 times, including Iraq, Yemen, and North Africa. Following his military retirement, he worked as a paramilitary officer in the CIA’s Special Activities Division. His broad operational experience in counterterrorism and irregular warfare contributed to his selection as head of the National Counterterrorism Center.

Kent’s personal life is also notable. A defining element of his political and personal identity is his first wife, Shannon Kent, a distinguished cryptologic technician and linguist in the US Navy, who was killed in 2019 in the Syrian city of Manbij in a suicide bombing carried out by ISIS. After her death, Kent became a vocal critic of what he termed “endless wars,” arguing that his wife and many others were victims of flawed strategies that brought no benefit to the American people.

Prior to his government appointment, Kent ran twice for Congress from Washington state—in 2022 and 2024—but was defeated in the final stage of both races. A committed supporter of the “America First” platform, he has consistently opposed US military intervention abroad. He is also a close associate of Tulsi Gabbard, the current US Director of National Intelligence, and both share similar views on the necessity of withdrawing American forces from the Middle East.

Kent was confirmed by the Senate in July 2025 as director of the National Counterterrorism Center. On March 17, 2026, he resigned over his strong opposition to the ongoing war with Iran. He contends that the conflict was initiated on the basis of faulty intelligence and external lobbying pressure—particularly from Israel—and does not serve US national interests. In his resignation letter, Kent emphasized that he could not support a war against Iran, reiterating that Tehran posed no imminent threat to Washington and that the conflict was the product of Israeli pressure and its associated lobbying networks.

The case of Joseph Kent reflects a broader and substantial current within American politics—one rooted in nationalist thinking—that is increasingly discontent with what it perceives as Trump subordinating US interests to the ambitions of Israeli policymakers. This current regards Washington’s regional policy as a function of decisions and pressures emanating from the Israeli regime and its powerful lobby in the United States. A growing body of evidence suggests that this critical faction may, sooner or later, distance itself from the formal structure of the Trump administration in order to voice its objections more freely.