Ex-counterterrorism official says he wasn’t allowed to share concerns about Iran war with Trump
Joe Kent, the former counterterrorism director who resigned this week over concerns about the Iran war, said on Wednesday (March 18, 2026) that he and other senior officials with doubts about the airstrikes “were not allowed” to share them with President Donald Trump.
Speaking on Tucker Carlson’s show, Kent said the President relied on a small circle of advisers in making his decision to strike Iran. Mr. Kent claimed Israel forced Mr. Trump’s hand despite what he said was no evidence that Iran posed an imminent threat to the U.S.
“A good deal of key decision makers were not allowed to come and express their opinion to the President,” Mr. Kent told the prominent conservative commentator. “There wasn’t a robust debate.”
Mr. Kent’s comments offer an inside glimpse into Trump’s decision to strike Iran on Feb. 28 and underscore the risk that the war could divide his political base. They also suggest there were concerns about the strikes within the administration.
– AP
