Joe Kent Opposes Trump’s Military Campaign in Iran: Supporters Believe He’s "Switching Sides" and Leaving Trump’s Loyal Faction Behind

Washington, D.C. – In a shocking move for U.S. politics, Joe Kent, former Director of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), publicly opposed President Donald Trump’s military campaign against Iran. Kent, a veteran with 11 deployments and a longtime supporter of Trump, resigned on March 17, 2026, posting his resignation letter on social media platform X, declaring that he “could no longer support the ongoing war in Iran with a clear conscience.”

In his resignation letter, Kent wrote: “Iran does not pose an imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we initiated this war under pressure from Israel and their powerful lobby groups in the U.S.” He accused Israeli officials and U.S. media of engaging in a “disinformation campaign” designed to deceive Trump into escalating the conflict. Kent called on Trump to “reverse course” and emphasized that Middle Eastern wars had “taken the precious lives of American patriots and undermined the prosperity of our country.”

As a prominent figure in the MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement, Kent, who had run unsuccessfully for Congress twice, has maintained strong support from the isolationist "America First" faction — those who oppose military intervention abroad. His resignation has been described as the “first major defection” from the Trump administration, according to sources like The Atlantic, Politico, and Time.

Reactions from Kent’s supporters and the conservative base reveal a deep divide. Some of his followers see this as a sign that he is “arranging to switch sides,” moving from supporting Trump to joining the anti-war camp, potentially aligning with voices like Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, or Marjorie Taylor Greene. Greene immediately spoke out in Kent’s defense: “They’ll try to smear Joe Kent and discredit him. Don’t believe the lies! Joe is a true American hero, having deployed 11 times, and he’s the husband of a Gold Star wife.” Carlson called Kent “the bravest man I know,” while Owens and several other MAGA influencers widely shared Kent’s resignation letter, seeing it as a “wake-up call” for Trump about being “duped” by the Israeli lobby.

However, Trump and his loyalists responded harshly. The president called Kent “very weak on security” and said, “It’s a good thing he’s gone because he thinks Iran isn’t a threat.” Many Republican lawmakers and Trump allies dismissed Kent’s accusations, arguing that he was spreading “antisemitic tropes” and did not represent the majority of the MAGA movement.

This incident highlights a growing rift within the Trump coalition: between the isolationist “America First” faction, which opposes war for America’s benefit, and those supporting strong military action against Iran. With the Iran war entering its third week, Kent’s resignation could mark the beginning of a larger wave of dissent, particularly as figures like Tulsi Gabbard (Director of National Intelligence) remain silent.

Joe Kent, a former Green Beret and the widower of fallen servicewoman Shannon, who was killed in Syria in 2019, had long been seen as a symbol of loyalty to Trump. Now, his decision represents not only the loss of an important position but also a warning signal to the White House: even the most loyal supporters have their limits when it comes to the lives and interests of the nation.

The story is still developing. Will Kent become a leading voice for the anti-war movement within MAGA, or will he remain an isolated case? Trump’s supporters are watching closely.