Leavitt shreds Kent’s 'insulting' resignation letter, dismissing accusations as lies

WASHINGTON, DC: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Tuesday, March 17, responded to the resignation of National Counterterrorism Center Director Joseph Kent, rejecting his claims about the administration’s Iran policy.

In a post on X, Leavitt described Kent’s assertions as “insulting and laughable” and disputed his statement that Iran posed no imminent threat to the United States.

Leavitt said President Donald Trump acted on what she described as “strong and compelling evidence” indicating potential threats from Iran.

She maintained that the decision to launch “Operation Epic Fury” fell within the President’s authority as commander-in-chief.

Evidence of imminent Iranian first strike

Leavitt outlined the administration’s assessment of Iran’s military posture, pointing to what she described as an expansion of ballistic missile capabilities and coordination with naval assets.

According to the White House, these developments raised concerns about potential threats to US interests and regional stability.

Leavitt said the administration had pursued diplomatic options before the escalation, including proposals that involved sanctions relief and limits on Iran’s nuclear program.

She said Iran’s rejection of those proposals contributed to the decision to proceed with military action.

Trump denies influence of foreign lobbies

Leavitt also addressed Kent’s claim that external political pressure influenced the decision to engage in the conflict.

 She rejected that assertion, stating that the President’s position on Iran’s nuclear ambitions has remained consistent over time.

She said decisions related to national security are made based on intelligence assessments and internal deliberations. Leavitt added that coordination with international partners, including Israel, reflects broader strategic considerations.

Constitutional authority of the Commander-in-Chief

The Press Secretary emphasized that the President has the authority to assess and respond to national security threats.

She said the administration views its actions as consistent with that responsibility.

Leavitt stated that the ongoing military operations are intended to address long-standing security concerns related to Iran.

The response comes as the administration addresses Kent’s departure and continues to defend its approach to the conflict, with officials maintaining that current actions are aligned with US national security objectives.