Vice President J.D. Vance has defended former Director of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) Joe Kent's resignation, stating that it was a "good thing" for the administration and that officials in the administration are obligated to carry out President Donald Trump's orders. Kent resigned from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence over the conflict in Iran, arguing that the country presented no imminent threat to the U.S. He stated that the administration's America first agenda was undermined by a "misinformation campaign" by high-ranking Israeli officials, influential members of the American media and Israel's powerful lobby in the US. The administration has yet to specify any imminent threat Iran poses to the United States.