Maryland Rep. Olszewski Speaks Out on Counterterrorism Official's Resignation

Olszewski says Kent's resignation letter confirmed Iran posed no imminent threat, calling the war a "war of choice"

Mar. 18, 2026 at 9:23pm

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Joe Kent, the U.S. director of the National Counterterrorism Center, resigned on Tuesday over his opposition to the war in Iran. Maryland Rep. Johnny Olszewski, who sits on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told WBAL NewsRadio that Kent's resignation letter was a "powerful statement" that confirmed Iran presented no imminent threat and that the war was a "war of choice" by the Trump administration.

Why it matters

Kent's resignation highlights growing dissent within the national security establishment over the decision to go to war with Iran, which many view as unnecessary and unjustified. Olszewski's comments add to the political pressure on the administration to provide a clear strategy for ending the conflict.

The details

In his resignation letter, Kent said Iran posed no imminent threat to the United States. Olszewski told WBAL NewsRadio that Kent's letter "confirmed what we already believed and what was widely reported, that Iran presented no imminent threat and this was a war of choice." Olszewski also criticized the Trump administration for not providing a clear strategy for ending the war.

  • Joe Kent resigned as U.S. director of the National Counterterrorism Center on Tuesday, March 18, 2026.

The players

Joe Kent

The former U.S. director of the National Counterterrorism Center who resigned over opposition to the war in Iran.

Johnny Olszewski

A Maryland representative who sits on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and criticized the Trump administration's decision to go to war with Iran.

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What they’re saying

“Mr. Kent's Resignation letter was a powerful statement and confirmed what we already believed and what was widely reported, that Iran presented no imminent threat and this was a war of choice.”

— Johnny Olszewski, Maryland Representative

What’s next

The House Foreign Affairs Committee, on which Olszewski sits, is expected to hold hearings on the administration's justification for the war in Iran and the lack of a clear strategy for ending the conflict.

The takeaway

Kent's resignation and Olszewski's comments underscore the growing political opposition to the war in Iran, which many view as unnecessary and unjustified. The administration will face increasing pressure to provide a clear rationale and exit strategy for the conflict.