Former National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) director Joe Kent declared the 2026 midterm election results—which saw Democrats regain control of both the House and Senate—a clear “referendum on the Iran war.” In a social media post, Kent urged former President Donald Trump to “course correct” on the conflict, arguing the American people had “emphatically rejected” the war through their votes.
Kent’s Call for Policy Shift
Kent, who resigned from the Trump administration in 2025 over his opposition to the Iran war, stated that Trump still has the opportunity to “end the war now” and focus on domestic priorities. “He can still avert the disaster of a catastrophic escalation,” Kent wrote, adding that Trump should prioritize “improving the lives of the American people” to salvage his legacy.
Resignation Over Iran Policy
Kent stepped down as NCTC director in March 2025, publicly stating that Iran posed “no imminent threat” to the U.S. and that the conflict was driven by pressure from Israel and its U.S. lobby. His resignation marked a rare high-profile departure from the Trump administration over foreign policy disagreements.
Trump had appointed Kent to lead the NCTC in February 2025, praising his counterterrorism experience. However, Kent’s stance on Iran ultimately put him at odds with the administration’s military escalation in the region.
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/11/04/joe-kent-results-of-midterm-election-are-referendum-on-the-iran-war/