Joe Kent’s resignation over the Iran war triggered a fierce backlash, with ex-Trump aide Taylor Budowich accusing him of leaks, insubordination and staging a dramatic exit before dismissal.

Sen. Mitch McConnell said Joe Kent revealed his antisemitism when resigning from the National Counterterrorism Center in protest of the Iran war.

Kent, who had led the US's counterterror body for less than eight months, announced his resignation on Tuesday, becoming the first senior official in the Trump administration to quit over the conflict.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Donald Trump after Joe Kent’s resignation, rejecting foreign influence claims and reaffirming Iran as a key terror threat in US policy.