Donald Trump said he does not care after the National Counterterrorism Center director resigned over opposition to the Iran war, noting it was good that he left because Iran is a threat to the United States.
On 17 Mar 2026 GMT+7, President Donald Trump said it was good that Joe Kent resigned as director of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center, which oversees the country's intelligence, because he opposed war with Iran. However, Trump mocked him as "weak on security."
"When someone working with us says they don't think Iran is a threat, we don't want those people," Trump said from the Oval Office at the White House. "They aren't smart or perceptive."
Trump's remarks came just hours after Kent stepped down, stating in his resignation letter to Trump that he could not in good conscience support a war with Iran, believing it was the wrong course of action.
Kent also asserted that "Iran is not an immediate threat to our nation, and it is clear this war began due to pressure from Israel and the influential Israeli lobby groups in America."
However, Trump, who personally appointed Kent to the position, told reporters he "thought Kent was a good person" and insisted Iran is indeed a threat to the U.S., adding about Kent's case, "It is good that he left."
"Iran is a threat," Trump said. "Every country knows well how big a threat Iran is."
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Source:cnn