NEW YORK—Renowned legal scholar and former Harvard professor Alan Dershowitz has ignited a firestorm of online criticism after publishing a scathing Substack newsletter targeting Joe Kent, the Director of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC). The attack follows Kent’s high-profile resignation on Monday, March 16, 2026, in protest of the ongoing US-Iran war.
In his newsletter titled “Good Riddance to Bad Garbage,” published Tuesday, March 17, Dershowitz leveled severe accusations against the outgoing counterterrorism chief, labeling him a “Neo-Nazi” and “Jew-hating Israel-basher.”
1. The Accusations: “Liar, Bigot, and Nazi Lover”
Dershowitz’s critique centered on the language used in Kent’s resignation letter to President Donald Trump, which claimed the war was manufactured by “high-ranking Israeli officials” and “powerful American media.”
- Trope Allegations: Dershowitz accused Kent of “invoking anti-Semitic tropes” regarding Jewish control of the media and foreign policy. “Joe Kent, who cavorts with Nazis and blames the Jews for everything, has resigned… he is a liar, bigot, and Nazi lover,” Dershowitz wrote.
- Iraq War Disagreement: He specifically challenged Kent’s comparison to the 2003 Iraq War, noting that Israel’s then-prime minister had actually expressed reservations about that conflict.
- The Verdict: Dershowitz concluded that Kent’s exit was “good riddance,” suggesting that anyone supporting his views should follow him out the door.
2. The Backlash: “Epstein’s Lawyer” Trend
The newsletter move immediately backfired on social media, where critics were quick to point to Dershowitz’s controversial history.
- Character Attacks: Many X (formerly Twitter) users dismissed Dershowitz’s moral authority, citing his past representation of Jeffrey Epstein. “Good friend and lawyer to Epstein… weighs in on what’s best for America,” one viral post read.
- Credibility Gap: Others pointed out that Dershowitz has previously represented figures like Jonathan Pollard, leading to accusations that his defense of the Iran war is driven by personal bias rather than national security.
3. Context: Why Joe Kent Resigned
Joe Kent, a retired Green Beret and Gold Star husband, became the first senior official to break with the Trump administration over the Iran conflict.
- The “Misinformation” Claim: In his letter, Kent alleged that Trump was “deceived” by an “echo chamber” into believing Iran posed an imminent threat.
- Casualties of War: Kent, who lost his wife, Shannon Kent, to a suicide bombing in Syria in 2019, stated he could not support sending a new generation to die in a “war manufactured by Israel” that serves “no benefit to the American people.”
- Trump’s Response: President Trump dismissed Kent as “weak on security” during a St. Patrick’s Day event, stating, “It’s a good thing he’s out.”
Joe Kent vs. Alan Dershowitz: Key Arguments
| Topic | Joe Kent’s Position | Alan Dershowitz’s Rebuttal |
| War Justification | “Iran posed no imminent threat.” | “Iran was a threat… every country realized it.” |
| Israeli Influence | War started due to “pressure from Israel.” | Claims this is a “Jew-hating” anti-Semitic trope. |
| Historical Parallel | Compares Iran to “disastrous Iraq war.” | Notes Israel’s PM actually opposed Iraq war. |
| Personal Motivation | Gold Star husband seeking to stop “traps.” | Alleges Kent is a “Nazi-lover” using personal loss as a shield. |