Trump Faces Another Anti-War Official

Americas – In a resignation letter to President Trump, the director of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center wrote that Iran "does not pose an imminent threat to the United States." "I cannot go against my conscience and support this war being waged against Iran right now."

On Tuesday, Trump responded to Kent's resignation at the White House, calling Joe Kent "very weak on security issues" and saying his resignation was "a good thing." White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed what she called "false accusations," calling the claim that "the decision to go to war was influenced by others" "insulting and ridiculous."

The White House spokesperson added: "As President Trump clearly stated, he has irrefutable evidence that Iran is preparing to attack the United States first."

Joe Kent, the head of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center, said in his resignation letter: "Iran does not pose an imminent threat to our country. It is clear that we are going to war under the pressure of Israel and its powerful American lobbying groups."

Joe Kent, a former special forces soldier, became the first high-ranking official in the Trump administration to resign over opposition to the conflict. Joe Kent ran twice for the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington State, both times failing (in 2022 and 2024), and he was a Republican candidate supported by Trump each time.

This close ally of the president diverged from the administration's stance on the war, drawing attention from Democrats. Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said: "He (Joe Kent) is right on this point, and there is no credible evidence that Iran poses an imminent threat that justifies America's hasty involvement in another Middle East war."

In the letter, Joe Kent accused "high-level Israeli officials and influential figures in the U.S. media" of launching a "disinformation campaign" that fueled a "war-hungry atmosphere." He also said: "This echo effect is used to deceive you into believing that Iran poses an imminent threat to the United States, and that a strike now would lead to a quick victory."

Joe Kent added: "The Israelis also used the same lies to drag us into the disastrous Iraq War, which cost our country the lives of thousands of outstanding men and women."

In late February, Trump had said that the U.S. and Israeli strike actions were a necessary step to eliminate Tehran's "imminent threat." A few days later, he changed his stance, being vague about America's motives, claiming he had seized the "last and best opportunity" to strike Iran.

Source: rfi

Original: toutiao.com/article/1859950846343242/

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