Joe Kent of the National Counterterrorism Center, who is a close colleague of Tulsi Gabbard, quits and rips the Iran war in his resignation letter.
die-hard Republican resigns
- Thread starter TequilasForLoss
- Start date
I feel for the guy and respect his decision. Thank him for his service. I think losing your wife would change your perspective on many things. Probably could have handled his exit a little better, but he we live in a free country so he can say what he wants. Good luck to him in the future.
Bombing a girls school would be a good way to make people want to stop killing you.
Yeah. It does seem as if we may have done that. If we did it would be wise to fess up and try to make some type of amends. I think if the United States paid for a world class school at that location and gave each affected family $1mm it would go a long way towards forgiveness. War is ugly.
Joe Kent is an unstable white nationalist psychopath, fwiw. He's resigning in protest because he blames the Jews for tricking our honorable president into an unpopular war that is killing Americans.
Adam Kinzinger (@adamkinzinger.substack.com)
Joe Kent has resigned over disagreements on the Iran war. Joe Kent is not suddenly a good guy. He’s a straight up white nationalist. But there are fissures in the MAGA base
bsky.app
I don’t know anything about Joe Kent, but his resignation letter makes all the sense in the world from what we see with their own eyes and we don’t have the intelligence that he does. Patriots serve the United States of America, not a party or a certain person.
Not sure what the point of this X post is inferring in today’s terms. It’s been well known that Iran would like Don to disappear. But if you have a nation that is targeting you and then you provoke them and punish them twice, June 2025 and March 2026, You are now expanding the target beyond yourself to include your family and Americans anywhere.
It’s a dangerous game to play if you don’t have at least 3 clear out strategies.
This war will be the end of Trump. It might also be the end of the U.S. as it's existed for the past 100 years. I'd put the O/U on clear out strategies from this bunch at -1.
I don't have any disrespect for the man. But everyone should have all the information.
For me, it's hard to square his letter today saying that Iran was not a threat, while less than a year and a half ago he acknowledges Iran is "after" Trump. I take that to mean they are trying to kill him and im not sure there is any other way to take it? He also lost his wife in a war, something i think may affect his perspective. He is entitled to his opinion though. He did the right thing to resign. We can debate if he could have done it in a better fashion or not.
Everyone can draw their own conclusions.
A physical threat (if that’s what Kent meant, fair to infer that it is) against Trump is a Secret Service and intelligence-agencies issue, not a war issue.
Rebecca (@rebcam2000) on Threads
T, speaking about Joe Kent, the Director of Counter Terrorism: "I always thought he was a nice guy, but I always thought he was weak on security, very weak on security." Then why was he nominated to be a director in the office of National Security??????
www.threads.com
It's hard for limited people like you to square anything Trump and his minions say, because what they say are lies. 24/7/365 lies. When you crack that brain buster, it becomes surprisingly easy to get at the truth.
Why do threads and other socials, not have a picture like X does below? is it a patent thing?Rebecca (@rebcam2000) on Threads
T, speaking about Joe Kent, the Director of Counter Terrorism: "I always thought he was a nice guy, but I always thought he was weak on security, very weak on security." Then why was he nominated to be a director in the office of National Security??????
The expectation outside of X is that people can read and interpret what they're reading.
Does it not bother you that he can say something like “I always thought he was weak on security” about someone he nominated for a National Security position?
When i heard that i thought he was referring to his current job performance.
But to your point, Trump will bash anyone he sees as disloyal, doesn't matter who they are or what they did. I do not like that part of his personality and yes it bothers me. But it's his schtick, never give an inch.
Have always struggled with people who can’t take responsibility or say they’re sorry. Can never trust them. (Speaking to not just in politics but all of life).
i don’t jump into this board very often but this is the first time i’ve seen you point out anything that bothers you about Trump, hafta give you credit for doing that here
Seems problematic.
What/Who is more important?
Dabo or Clemson?
Bowden or FSU?
Paterno or PSU?
I have utmost respect for the general accomplishments on the field and many off the field by these 3 men. The difference between these men and the institutions? The institutions are built to last indefinitely like the US.
Paterno and Bowden overstayed their welcome. They lasted longer based on prior accomplishments. They were getting benefit of the doubt passes on the damage they were doing to the programs they built. And in Paterno’s case, far worse off the field legal coverups.
Every one of us has an expiration date but I imagine we want the USA to extend indefinitely for everyone to enjoy. If you are taking actions based upon personal threats, that’s not in the best interest of the USA. I’m not saying Trump has to leave. I’m saying the X post is in the personal interest of a then exPOTUS/US CITIZEN(Trump was at the time of the tweet). Are you serving yourself or the best interest of the USA?
We’ll have and actually we have had similar discussions about Dabo. Is he serving in the best interest of Clemson or what Dabo Swinney wants? I’d say he’s demonstrating in the last 4 months a willingness to put his own personal interest aside some to mostly and willing to do what’s best for Clemson as collective minds assert. That’s all you can ask.
Bibi has criminal charges outstanding against him. These are the facts. War is a VERY CONVENIENT activity to never be held accountable for your actions. You’d expect everything coming from Israel to be rich in reasons to be at war.
As of early 2026, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing a long-running criminal trial on corruption charges (bribery, fraud, and breach of trust) in Israel.
Additionally, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants in late 2024 for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, including starvation as a method of warfare and targeting civilians.
I’m upset. He ran on No New Wars. He ran on Doge. This isn’t really the MAGA agenda we were promised.
He still way better than Kamala.
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It's not a schtick. It's just who he is. It seems impossible to me that anyone could like, or respect, someone who flatly refused to ever admit a mistake or take responsibility for anything.
Well, he lied about everything, and he's doing all the horrible stuff Kamala said he'd do, but i mean, come on.... you really expect me to vote for a black woman?
It’s freaking incredible. There are NO articles outside of the NYT on Bibi corruption charges on US MEDIA in the last 90 days. Just let that soak in.
Meanwhile, Israeli media is all over it. Just 5 days ago. Is Israeli media antisemitic?
Meanwhile, Israeli media is all over it. Just 5 days ago. Is Israeli media antisemitic?
And to add…. Why is a US official(Trump) telling a foreign government what to do with their legal process?It’s freaking incredible. There are NO articles outside of the NYT on Bibi corruption charges on US MEDIA in the last 90 days. Just let that soak in.
Meanwhile, Israeli media is all over it. Just 5 days ago. Is Israeli media antisemitic?
Bit rich and very self serving.
Trump: Herzog is a ‘disgrace,’ must pardon Netanyahu now so PM can focus on Iran war
Herzog’s office: Israel a ‘sovereign state governed by the rule of law,’ pardon decision will be made sans external input; Trump says he won’t meet with president until he issues pardon
By Jacob Magid,Lazar Berman
and ToI Staff
US President Donald Trump demanded Thursday that President Isaac Herzog immediately pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling Herzog a “disgrace,” in his latest heated intervention on behalf of the prime minister in his corruption trial.
Herzog’s office responded that his decision on a pardon will be made without external input.
Trump’s comments to Axios by phone were part of his latest round of interviews during the US-Israeli strikes on Iran. He also said Thursday that he needs to be involved personally in selecting Iran’s next leader, and voiced support for a Kurdish offensive against Iran.
Trump told Axios that Herzog must give Netanyahu a pardon “today,” explaining that he doesn’t want Netanyahu to be bothered by any issue other than the ongoing US-Israeli military campaign against the Iranian regime.
The US president claimed he’s raised the matter with the Israeli president for a year, and that Herzog promised him five times that he would pardon Netanyahu. Trump added that he is refusing to meet Herzog until he gives Netanyahu a pardon. There have been no reported efforts by Herzog to meet with Trump.
Get The Times of Israel's Daily Edition by email and never miss our top stories
By signing up, you agree to the terms
Trump claimed Herzog has been holding the issue over Netanyahu’s head for a year, even though Netanyahu only requested a pardon in November. Netanyahu has consistently denied wrongdoing in the three corruption cases for which he is on trial, claiming he has been framed by the police and state prosecution.
President Isaac Herzog visits the scene where a ballistic missile fired from Iran struck Beit Shemesh, central Israel, causing extensive destruction and killing at least nine people, March 2, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)Trump has been calling for Netanyahu to be pardoned since June 2025, the last time Israel and Iran fought a war. The Prime Minister’s Office has denied that Netanyahu asked the US president to take up the issue.
Thursday marked the second time Trump has attacked Herzog over the issue in less than a month, after he said in February that Herzog “should be ashamed of himself” for not granting a pardon to Netanyahu, who is standing trial for alleged bribery, fraud and breach of trust.
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Trump also asked Herzog to pardon Netanyahu when addressing the Knesset in October. There, the US president said, in reference to the gifts Netanyahu allegedly illicitly received, “Who cares about cigars and champagne?”
US President Donald Trump speaks at the Knesset in Jerusalem on October 13, 2025. (Chip Somodevilla / POOL / AFP)In response to Trump’s comments on Thursday, the President’s Residence issued a statement praising the US president, but stressing Herzog’s prerogative to decide for himself on whether to grant Netanyahu a pardon.
“President Herzog greatly respects and appreciates the tremendous contribution of Donald Trump to Israel’s security. He views him as the leader of the free world, a central ally of Israel, and particularly values his firm stance against Iran,” the statement said.
Herzog’s office noted that Israel “is a sovereign state governed by the rule of law,” and as such, the pardon request is currently being dealt with by the Justice Ministry, which will offer its legal opinion, as per the law.
“After the process is completed, the president will examine the request according to the law, the good of the country, and according to his conscience, without any influence from external or internal pressures of any kind,” his office added.
Illustrative: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives at the courtroom of the Tel Aviv District Court in the trial against him, October 28, 2025. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)Netanyahu is on trial in three corruption cases. He faces charges of fraud and breach of trust in Case 1000 and Case 2000, and charges of bribery, as well as fraud and breach of trust, in Case 4000.
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In Case 1000, he is charged with fraud and breach of trust surrounding allegations that he and his wife Sara received expensive gifts illicitly from Hollywood media mogul Arnon Milchan, worth some NIS 700,000 ($212,000), and that Netanyahu violated conflict of interest laws when he provided Milchan with assistance in renewing his long-term US residency visa and sought to help him with tax issues.
In Case 2000, the prime minister is accused of fraud and breach of trust over his alleged attempt to reach a quid pro quo agreement with the publisher of the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, Arnon (Noni) Mozes, whereby Yedioth would give the prime minister more positive media coverage in exchange for legislation weakening its key rival, the Israel Hayom free sheet.
Case 4000, also known as the Bezeq-Walla case, is the most serious case the prime minister faces, in which he is accused of authorizing regulatory decisions that financially benefited Bezeq telecommunications giant shareholder Shaul Elovitch to the tune of hundreds of millions of shekels. In return, Netanyahu allegedly received favorable media coverage from the Walla news site, which Elovitch also owned.
I’ll take it. Baby steps in realization.
The Maga Republicans really have a problem with being in other people's business on the macro and micro level. I watched an Instagram reel yesterday of one of these freaks doing a man on the street thing, and he was asking guys if they were circumcised, and then "accusing" them of being circumcised if they refused to answer.And to add…. Why is a US official(Trump) telling a foreign government what to do with their legal process?
Bit rich and very self serving.
Trump: Herzog is a ‘disgrace,’ must pardon Netanyahu now so PM can focus on Iran war
Herzog’s office: Israel a ‘sovereign state governed by the rule of law,’ pardon decision will be made sans external input; Trump says he won’t meet with president until he issues pardon
By Jacob Magid,
Lazar Berman
and ToI Staff
US President Donald Trump demanded Thursday that President Isaac Herzog immediately pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling Herzog a “disgrace,” in his latest heated intervention on behalf of the prime minister in his corruption trial.
Herzog’s office responded that his decision on a pardon will be made without external input.
Trump’s comments to Axios by phone were part of his latest round of interviews during the US-Israeli strikes on Iran. He also said Thursday that he needs to be involved personally in selecting Iran’s next leader, and voiced support for a Kurdish offensive against Iran.
Trump told Axios that Herzog must give Netanyahu a pardon “today,” explaining that he doesn’t want Netanyahu to be bothered by any issue other than the ongoing US-Israeli military campaign against the Iranian regime.
The US president claimed he’s raised the matter with the Israeli president for a year, and that Herzog promised him five times that he would pardon Netanyahu. Trump added that he is refusing to meet Herzog until he gives Netanyahu a pardon. There have been no reported efforts by Herzog to meet with Trump.
Get The Times of Israel's Daily Edition by email and never miss our top stories
By signing up, you agree to the terms
Trump claimed Herzog has been holding the issue over Netanyahu’s head for a year, even though Netanyahu only requested a pardon in November. Netanyahu has consistently denied wrongdoing in the three corruption cases for which he is on trial, claiming he has been framed by the police and state prosecution.
President Isaac Herzog visits the scene where a ballistic missile fired from Iran struck Beit Shemesh, central Israel, causing extensive destruction and killing at least nine people, March 2, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
Trump has been calling for Netanyahu to be pardoned since June 2025, the last time Israel and Iran fought a war. The Prime Minister’s Office has denied that Netanyahu asked the US president to take up the issue.
Thursday marked the second time Trump has attacked Herzog over the issue in less than a month, after he said in February that Herzog “should be ashamed of himself” for not granting a pardon to Netanyahu, who is standing trial for alleged bribery, fraud and breach of trust.
Advertisement
Trump also asked Herzog to pardon Netanyahu when addressing the Knesset in October. There, the US president said, in reference to the gifts Netanyahu allegedly illicitly received, “Who cares about cigars and champagne?”
US President Donald Trump speaks at the Knesset in Jerusalem on October 13, 2025. (Chip Somodevilla / POOL / AFP)
In response to Trump’s comments on Thursday, the President’s Residence issued a statement praising the US president, but stressing Herzog’s prerogative to decide for himself on whether to grant Netanyahu a pardon.
“President Herzog greatly respects and appreciates the tremendous contribution of Donald Trump to Israel’s security. He views him as the leader of the free world, a central ally of Israel, and particularly values his firm stance against Iran,” the statement said.
Herzog’s office noted that Israel “is a sovereign state governed by the rule of law,” and as such, the pardon request is currently being dealt with by the Justice Ministry, which will offer its legal opinion, as per the law.
“After the process is completed, the president will examine the request according to the law, the good of the country, and according to his conscience, without any influence from external or internal pressures of any kind,” his office added.
Illustrative: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives at the courtroom of the Tel Aviv District Court in the trial against him, October 28, 2025. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)
Netanyahu is on trial in three corruption cases. He faces charges of fraud and breach of trust in Case 1000 and Case 2000, and charges of bribery, as well as fraud and breach of trust, in Case 4000.
Advertisement
In Case 1000, he is charged with fraud and breach of trust surrounding allegations that he and his wife Sara received expensive gifts illicitly from Hollywood media mogul Arnon Milchan, worth some NIS 700,000 ($212,000), and that Netanyahu violated conflict of interest laws when he provided Milchan with assistance in renewing his long-term US residency visa and sought to help him with tax issues.
In Case 2000, the prime minister is accused of fraud and breach of trust over his alleged attempt to reach a quid pro quo agreement with the publisher of the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, Arnon (Noni) Mozes, whereby Yedioth would give the prime minister more positive media coverage in exchange for legislation weakening its key rival, the Israel Hayom free sheet.
Case 4000, also known as the Bezeq-Walla case, is the most serious case the prime minister faces, in which he is accused of authorizing regulatory decisions that financially benefited Bezeq telecommunications giant shareholder Shaul Elovitch to the tune of hundreds of millions of shekels. In return, Netanyahu allegedly received favorable media coverage from the Walla news site, which Elovitch also owned.
Who in their right mind would think that's an appropriate thing to do?
And provided a perfect opportunity to deflect from Epstein with a fast victory and regime change rhetoric
With no apparent planning for shipping disruption or advance coordination with partners.
With no apparent planning for shipping disruption or advance coordination with partners.
I didn't think we liked white nationalists?Adam Kinzinger (@adamkinzinger.substack.com)
Joe Kent has resigned over disagreements on the Iran war. Joe Kent is not suddenly a good guy. He’s a straight up white nationalist. But there are fissures in the MAGA base
I’m less a political person and more of a facts based philosophy driven person. Politics AS IT IS for the past 30 years is depraved. It has no desire for conflict resolution, proper solution orientation. It’s why anyone aligned politically, to me, is a fairly deplorable person.
I get sold by left and right people:
“Well, We aren’t as bad as the other party.”
What I hear:
“My selfish version of politics is better than theirs.”
If your version of politics is so good, how come you are incapable of staying in power? Either of you? (That’s usually when people walk away.)
- Kamala wouldn’t do anything different.
- Joe is sharp as a tack letting our country overrun with illegals.
- Trump is lobbying Israeli government to drop corruption charges on their own PM.
- Top Trump appointed official with highest security clearance resigns because of foreign lobby.
- COVID lies >> both parties
I could go on with 10 serious issues on both fronts. There is no recourse than the other cabal taking over while they both serve corporate and foreign influence. We are so overdue from these fabricated narratives of Us vs Them. The US has allowed these luxury beliefs for too long.
Don’t be mad at the conclusions you are drawing. Be thrilled you see the world as it is. But we have to take seriously our political structure. And the young folks are gonna do it thank goodness. These 2 parties are the greatest threat to the next 250 years.
Before integration, the south I grew up in was like that I don't believe it was defined as "white nationalism. It was segregation.
Joe Kent is an honest to goodness Nazi. Good riddance. Hilarious that Trump is trashing him on the way out. ***** you hired him!