Joe Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, announced his resignation Tuesday in opposition to the Trump administration's military engagement with Iran.

Kent stated on social media that he "cannot in good conscience" support the war, saying Iran "posed no imminent threat to our nation" and asserting the conflict began "due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby." The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

As head of the National Counterterrorism Center, Kent oversaw the agency responsible for analyzing and detecting terrorist threats. He was confirmed to the position in July on a 52-44 Senate vote after facing strong Democratic opposition.

Kent's background includes 11 military deployments as a Green Beret, followed by work at the CIA. He also ran two unsuccessful congressional campaigns in Washington state before joining the Trump administration.

During his confirmation process, Democrats raised concerns about Kent's associations with far-right figures and conspiracy theories. His 2022 congressional campaign employed Graham Jorgensen, a Proud Boys member, for consulting work, and he worked with Joey Gibson, founder of the Christian nationalist group Patriot Prayer.

Republican senators defended Kent's appointment, with Intelligence Committee Chair Tom Cotton praising his military and intelligence experience, saying Kent had "dedicated his career to fighting terrorism and keeping Americans safe."