US President Donald Trump has defended the resignation of Joe Kent, saying it was “a good thing” he stepped down after downplaying the threat posed by Iran.
Speaking during a media briefing, Trump criticised Kent’s stance on national security, particularly his assertion that Iran did not pose a significant or immediate threat.
“It’s a good thing he is out because he said Iran was not a threat,” Trump said, adding that such views were unacceptable within his administration.
‘Weak on Security’: Trump’s Sharp Criticism
While acknowledging Kent as a “nice guy,” Trump said he had long harboured concerns about his approach to security issues.
“I always thought he was weak on security—very weak,” Trump stated.
“Iran was a tremendous threat… every country realised that.”
He emphasised that individuals who fail to recognise such threats are either “not smart” or “not savvy,” underlining his administration’s hardline stance on Iran.
White House Rejects Kent’s Claims
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also strongly pushed back against Kent’s remarks, calling them “false and absurd.”
Kent, who headed the US National Counterterrorism Center, had resigned stating he could not support the ongoing conflict with Iran and claimed that the country posed no imminent threat to the United States.
Responding on social media platform X, Leavitt said:
“This is the same false claim that Democrats and some in the liberal media have been repeating.”
US Cites ‘Strong Evidence’ Against Iran
Leavitt asserted that the Trump administration had “strong and compelling evidence” suggesting Iran was preparing potential attacks against the US.
She said the intelligence was gathered from multiple sources and stressed that military decisions were not made in isolation.
Iran was described as the “world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism,” with allegations of:
- Expanding ballistic missile capabilities
- Strengthening naval forces
- Pursuing nuclear weapons ambitions
Operation ‘Epic Fury’ and Military Justification
Defending US military action, Leavitt highlighted Operation Epic Fury, which she described as a “massively successful” joint operation with Israel.
According to her, the administration had explored diplomatic avenues before taking military steps but claimed Iran refused to agree to peace efforts.
“The President ultimately made the determination that action would reduce risk to American lives,” she said.
Kent’s Exit and Controversial Claims
In his resignation statement, Kent argued that the US had entered the conflict under external pressure, including influence from Israel and pro-Israel lobbying groups in America.
He maintained that Iran did not pose an immediate threat, a claim firmly rejected by the Trump administration.
Conclusion
The resignation of Joe Kent has added another layer of tension within the US administration amid the ongoing Iran conflict. With sharp differences over threat perception and military strategy, the episode highlights deep divisions over how Washington approaches national security and foreign policy.