Video News Clips: In Their Own Words

‘I Hope This Wakes People Up’: Shawn Ryan Defends Trump Official Who Quit Over Iran War

Larry Vickers and Shawn Ryan

Podcaster Shawn Ryan said Tuesday he hoped the resignation of National Counter-Terrorism Center (NCTC) Director Joe Kent “wakes people up” about the war with Iran.

Kent announced his resignation in a Tuesday post on X that included an image of his letter to President Donald Trump, claiming that Iran did not pose an “imminent threat” to the United States. Ryan described Kent’s resignation as “unfortunate” in a Tuesday post.

“Sometimes the most impactful statement you can make is a strong resignation. It’s unfortunate it’s come down to this. God’s speed @joekent16jan19, I hope this wakes some people up,” Ryan, a former Navy SEAL, posted.

Sometimes the most impactful statement you can make is a strong resignation. It’s unfortunate it’s come down to this. God’s speed @joekent16jan19 I hope this wakes some people up. https://t.co/3zWc1g0I5c

— Shawn Ryan (@ShawnRyan762) March 17, 2026

“And for everyone else who’s just falling in line to keep your position of power, take note,” Ryan added in a second post.

“I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby,” Kent said in an X post.

Kent, a former Green Beret, was confirmed as the director of the NCTC on July 30, with the confirmation drawing praise from Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.

“With two decades of military service, including 11 combat deployments, Joe has consistently put country before self, enduring great personal sacrifice in that service,” Gabbard said.

Kent’s first wife, United States Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Shannon Kent, was killed by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in a January 2019 attack in Syria.

Personal photo provided by the family of Chief Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive) Shannon M. Kent. (U.S. Navy/Released)

Trump announced Operation Epic Fury in a video posted on Truth Social early in the morning of Feb. 28 after negotiations broke down between the U.S. and Iran.