Leavitt slams Joe Kent's 'disgraceful' resignation, calls his accusations against Trump 'ridiculous'

WASHINGTON, DC: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt launched a fiery attack on Joe Kent following his resignation, calling his accusations against President Donald Trump “ridiculous” and dismissing his claims for lacking credibility.

Speaking at a press conference, she pushed back strongly against Kent’s criticism of the administration’s Iran policy.

The remarks come after Kent stepped down from his role as the Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, alleging that US military action was driven more by Israeli lobbying than by imminent threats.

Karoline Leavitt attacks Joe Kent after his resignation

Leavitt unleashed a blistering response to Kent, rejecting his claims about Donald Trump. “Mr. Kent, who unfortunately resigned in disgrace, accused the president of being controlled by foreign countries and manipulation,” she said, dismissing the allegation as “a ridiculous and laughable assertion.”

She added, "So his accusations have zero credibility as far as this White House is concerned!"

During the same press conference, Leavitt was pressed on whether the administration had shifted its “red line” on Iran. "The question of the red line shifting from no nuclear weapon to no nuclear enrichment, is there any substance of that argument?" she was asked.

Leavitt rejected the premise, insisting the president’s stance has been consistent. “I think the president has been quite clear in what he wants to see from the Iranian regime, which is why he chose to launch Operation Epic Fury in the first place,” she said, pointing to the decision to launch Operation Epic Fury as evidence of that policy.

Trump responds to Joe Kent's resignation

Trump attacked Joe Kent after Kent resigned on March 11 over the war in Iran. Trump called him “very weak on security” and said it was “a good thing that he’s out.” He made these comments at the White House while meeting Irish leader Micheal Martin during St Patrick's Day events, and tried to downplay Kent’s exit.

"I always thought he was weak on security, very weak on security,” Trump shared. “It’s a good thing that he’s out."

Kent, who led the National Counterterrorism Center, resigned to protest the US-Israel military campaign against Iran. In his resignation letter, Kent said he could not support the war and did not believe Iran posed an immediate threat to the United States.

He also claimed the conflict was influenced by outside pressure, including from Israel and lobbying groups, rather than clear national security reasons.

Kent is a former Army Ranger who served many combat tours, mostly in Iraq, and later worked with the CIA. He then entered politics as a Republican and was known for supporting Trump’s policies. His views on war were also shaped by personal loss, as his wife was killed in Syria in 2019.