But the Tuesday departure of Joe Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), is murky on the surface, his critics say.
Wading deeper into Kent’s stated reasons for resignation, it’s easy to conclude he’s being led – not leading – in this decision, Scott Uehlinger, an ex-FBI agent and former Navy SEAL. said on American Family Radio Wednesday.
Kent submitted his resignation letter directly to President Donald Trump, but it wasn’t submitted to Trump alone. He posted the same letter on his X account.
“I don't know who got to him or something, but there is something not right about this. Now, look, if you want to resign as a government official, that's fine. If you disagree with your commander, it's actually the right thing to do, to resign.
“But he used NCTC stationery to basically go on a screed that's anti-Israel and stuff, and that is totally inappropriate. If you want to resign, resign, but keep your mouth shut,” Uehlinger told show host Jenna Ellis.
Kent’s key points include his beliefs:
That Iran posed no imminent threat “to our nation,” opposing the war on moral and strategic grounds.
The administration’s decision to attack Iran was influenced by Israel.
The decision was a betrayal of “America First” policy.
Kent, a Special Forces veteran with 11 combat deployments, also opposed the decision based on personal experiences. His wife, Shannon Kent, was serving her fifth combat deployment as a Navy cryptologic technician in Syria in 2019 when she and three other Americans were killed by a suicide bomber.
“I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby,” Kent wrote.
Before the day was done, Kent had not only resigned but was announced as a guest for three different interviews – including Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens – and speaking engagements.
Carlson and Owens are widely recognized for their anti-Israel positions, and Owens is often criticized for embracing and sharing conspiracy theories.
Kent has been announced as one of several speakers at an event entitled “Catholic Prayer for America,” which is hosted by the group Catholics for Catholics.
The group’s mission statement says, “We are a group of Catholics who love God and our country. Our Catholic faith impels us to make our voices heard in the public square as Jesus Christ instructed us not to keep our light under a basket.”
A confusing about-face
Kent has done an about-face on his positions, Uehlinger said.
“You can find videos literally three months ago where he was talking about what a threat Iran was. Three months ago, he's tweeted, Trump has retweeted his tweets about Iran being a threat. And as somebody who spent my whole life working against Iran, basically, I don't know what the guy's smoking. The guy’s a disgrace.”
In a race for an Oregon U.S. House seat in 2024, Kent said during a televised debate, “We need to support Israel. Let them finish off Hamas and Hezbollah.”
Uehlinger said he has reviewed videos as recently as three months ago with Kent talking about what a threat Iran is to the U.S.
On paper, Kent would be among the least likely people to so radically change his views, Uehlinger said.
“So, what changed in three months? What what was he offered? It’s really strange. It's like the old movie Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” Uehlinger said.
Kent, who is now suddenly a darling of the liberal media, may be at the height of 15 minutes of fame.
Uehlinger predicts a quick fall from the public eye.
“Now the Left will use him as its next useful idiot, welcome the defector with open arms. Then he’ll be discarded after about six weeks, after he’s spouted off, and then wonder what he’s doing or what he’s done to himself,” Uehlinger said.
