Heritage's Roberts: Tensions Within MAGA on Iran 'Good'

Heritage Foundation president says dissent within Trump's base is healthy, contrasts it with 'intellectual totalitarianism' of progressives.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 1:09am

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Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts said tensions within President Donald Trump's MAGA base over the conflict with Iran are "good," contrasting them with what he called the "intellectual totalitarianism" of progressives. Roberts defended the U.S. military operation against Iran's political leadership and infrastructure, saying such dissent, like the resignation of Joe Kent as director of the National Counterterrorism Center, was healthy.

Why it matters

The comments from the Heritage Foundation president highlight the divisions within the conservative movement over the U.S. conflict with Iran, with some Trump supporters like Joe Kent opposing the military action. Roberts' remarks suggest the conservative think tank is firmly backing the president's Iran strategy despite internal disagreements.

The details

Roberts told The Hill that while Heritage is not "bound by the same loyalty" as administration officials, it supports how the Trump administration has executed the operation against Iran. He said the president has "initiated it and has executed it perfectly, including not involving untrustworthy European, quote, unquote allies in the conversation." Roberts also criticized progressive politics as enforcing "intellectual totalitarianism."

  • The Heritage Foundation's inaugural Miami Security Forum, where Roberts made the comments, ended on Friday, March 20, 2026.

The players

Kevin Roberts

President of the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who initiated the military operation against Iran.

Joe Kent

Former director of the National Counterterrorism Center who resigned over his objections to the conflict with Iran.

JD Vance

Vice President who was reportedly "less enthusiastic" about launching military strikes alongside Israel against Iran.

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What they’re saying

“As it relates to tensions in the movement or disagreements about national security, actually, it's good that those exist.”

— Kevin Roberts, President, Heritage Foundation

“Honest to goodness, I believe he initiated it and has executed it perfectly, including not involving untrustworthy European, quote, unquote allies in the conversation.”

— Kevin Roberts, President, Heritage Foundation

What’s next

The Heritage Foundation is expected to continue its support for the Trump administration's military operation against Iran, despite some internal dissent within the conservative movement.

The takeaway

The comments from the Heritage Foundation president highlight the deep divisions within the conservative base over the U.S. conflict with Iran, with some Trump supporters opposing the military action while the think tank firmly backs the president's strategy. This reflects the broader tensions within the MAGA movement as it grapples with complex foreign policy challenges.