Last mentioned: Mar 17, 2026
Acting Leadership
Expected appointment of an acting director to ensure operational continuity.
Kent Resignation
Joe Kent steps down as Director following reports of escalating Iran tensions.
NCTC Established
The NCTC was created by the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act.
Top U.S. counterterrorism official Joe Kent has resigned in protest of President Trump’s military campaign against Iran, claiming the nation posed no imminent threat. The departure of a high-profile 'America First' loyalist signals a deepening fracture within the administration's national security ranks and its political base.
Joe Kent has announced his resignation as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), effective immediately. His departure marks a significant leadership transition for the U.S. intelligence community at a time of heightened friction with Iranian-backed entities.