Trump appointee's Iran war resignation sparks MAGA division

Megyn Kelly interviewed Joe Kent, former director of the National Counterterrorism Center, who resigned over Trump's decision to go to war with Iran. Kent discussed how the conflict puts JD Vance and Tulsi Gabbard in difficult positions as foreign-war skeptics. Kelly asked Kent whether his very public resignation—for which he's been called "weak" by Trump, a "traitor" by Lindsey Graham, and an "antisemite" by Mitch McConnell, and is now under FBI investigation—was "worth it." Kent answered that it "most certainly was."

Key Points

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Trump appointee's Iran war resignation sparks MAGA division

Megyn Kelly interviewed Joe Kent, former director of the National Counterterrorism Center, who resigned over Trump's decision to go to war with Iran. Kent discussed how the conflict puts JD Vance and Tulsi Gabbard in difficult positions as foreign-war skeptics. Kelly asked Kent whether his very public resignation—for which he's been called "weak" by Trump, a "traitor" by Lindsey Graham, and an "antisemite" by Mitch McConnell, and is now under FBI investigation—was "worth it." Kent answered that it "most certainly was."

Mar 21, 2026
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Key Points
Kent argued that Iran posed no imminent threat and the war was initiated due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.
Kent acknowledged that Vance and Gabbard have been put in a tough spot by the war decision and said he wanted to give them a heads up before resigning.
Kent is currently under FBI investigation for allegedly sharing classified information after his resignation.
Kent dismissed attacks from McConnell and Graham as "laughable" and stated that the truth and facts are on his side regarding the leak allegations.
Kent's resignation follows prominent right-wing influencers like Tucker Carlson and Kelly herself who have been opposed to the war and critical of Israel.
Perspective

Kelly frames the war as having been sold to Americans by "Israel firsters, like Mark Levin," adopting a critical stance toward Israeli influence on Trump's decision. The interview reflects the America First/non-interventionist right's skepticism of Middle East military involvement and concerns about foreign policy priorities.