Ex-Counterterrorism Chief Says Trump Blocked Iran War Concerns

Joe Kent, former director of the National Counterterrorism Center, resigned this week over abuse of power in Trump’s decision to strike Iran on February 28. Speaking on Tucker Carlson’s program, Kent stated that he and other senior officials opposed to the airstrikes were deliberately prevented from presenting their concerns directly to Trump, who relied instead on a narrow circle of advisers.

Kent, who led an agency responsible for analyzing terrorist threats, said no intelligence supported claims that Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States or was developing nuclear weapons. He alleged that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials personally lobbied Trump with information that contradicted U.S. intelligence channels, effectively forcing the American decision to attack.

Kent’s statements underscore divisions within the Trump administration over the Iran war and highlight the authoritarian decision-making process that excluded qualified officials from deliberation. His resignation and public criticism indicate that concerns about the strikes existed at senior levels but were systematically suppressed, demonstrating Trump’s preference for unquestioned loyalty over informed counsel on matters of national security and military action.

Trump dismissed Kent’s concerns on Tuesday, calling him “weak on security” and stating that anyone in his administration doubting Iran’s threat status had no place in government. The White House did not respond to Kent’s allegations about being blocked from accessing the president or about the Israeli influence on the war decision.

Kent, a 45-year-old former Green Beret with 11 combat deployments and prior CIA service, decided to resign after concluding his objections would be ignored. His decision to resign “in good conscience” rather than participate in what he viewed as a flawed military decision reflects the cost of Trump’s demand for absolute loyalty over expertise and deliberative governance.

(Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/ex-counterterrorism-official-says-wasnt-004218298.html)