He cited the “America First” principles Trump campaigned on in 2016, 2020, and 2024, and said this war betrays them.
“I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran,” he wrote.
Trump called him “very weak on security.”
Kent is the first senior Trump official to resign over this conflict. He is not a dove or a Democrat. He is a veteran and a former special forces officer who Trump personally chose to lead counterterrorism for the United States.
And he walked out.
Here is where we are today: 13 American service members have been killed. More than 200 have been wounded. Our country killed a school full of little girls. Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz. Oil is above $100 a barrel. Our allies in Europe refused to send ships when Trump asked them to. He responded by threatening to pull the United States out of NATO.
Congress never voted on this war.
Meanwhile, Trump’s chosen pastors gathered in the Oval Office, hands raised, blessing it.
People of faith should not be quiet about this. When the president’s own counterterrorism chief cannot in good conscience stand behind a war, the pastors praying over it should be asked why they can.
When troops in the field are being told this is “God’s divine plan” and that Trump “has been anointed by Jesus” to bring on Armageddon. We have a word for that. It is Christian Nationalism.
And it is using the cover of faith to bless something that faith does not bless.
Vote Common Good exists to make sure faith voters see that clearly, and have candidates worth voting for who will say so from inside Congress.
