WASHINGTON, D.C. — Joe Kent resigned from his counterterrorism position in President Donald Trump's administration to protest the war with Iran. Kent appeared in a podcast interview the day after his resignation.

In his resignation letter, Kent blamed high-ranking Israeli officials and influential members of the American media for encouraging conflict. He wrote that the tactics used by Israeli officials to encourage conflict were similar to those used to draw the United States into the Iraq war.

Kent wrote in his resignation letter that his wife died in a war manufactured by Israel. His wife was a Navy cryptologist who was killed by a suicide bomber in Syria.

"The Israelis drove the decision to take this action," Kent said in the podcast interview. "I'm saying there are unanswered questions."

Kent referred to conspiracy theories suggesting that pro-Israel forces were behind the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell described Kent's resignation letter as containing antisemitism.

Former President Donald Trump responded to Kent's resignation with criticism. "I always thought he was weak on security," Trump said. "I didn't know him well."

Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, encouraged President Trump to join forces in an attack on Iran. When disputing the idea that Israel pushed him toward war, Trump said, "I might have forced their hand."

The Republican Jewish Coalition opposed Kent's nomination as director of the National Counterterrorism Center due to his ties to right-wing extremism. Kent has previously rejected all forms of racism and bigotry.

A radio and television host posted in a social media message an invitation for Kent to appear on a show in the coming days. Kent responded affirmatively to the invitation.