Mike Force Podcast — Joe Kent Resigns from Director of NCTC

Host: Mike Glover
Date: March 17, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of the Mike Force Podcast centers on the sudden resignation of Joe Kent from his post as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), a decision rooted in dissent over U.S. involvement in the war with Iran. Mike Glover unpacks the series of events, reads and analyzes Kent's resignation letter, discusses the role of foreign influence in American policy—particularly from Israel—and highlights responses from public figures such as Tulsi Gabbard and Donald Trump. The conversation weaves personal reflections, critiques of U.S. policy priorities, and questions about America's ongoing military interventions.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Context: Joe Kent's Resignation

• [02:30] Mike introduces the breaking news: Joe Kent's immediate resignation as NCTC Director.
• Mike reads from Kent’s letter, highlighting why he resigned:
  • Kent’s opposition to the U.S. war with Iran, stating Iran posed "no imminent threat" to the U.S.
  • Kent attributed the war’s origin to "pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby."
  • Recounts Kent's credentials as a Green Beret, CIA paramilitary officer, and the personal loss of his wife in Syria.

Defining 'Imminent Threat'

• [05:05] Mike examines what constitutes an "imminent threat," drawing from both security perspectives and Kent’s reasoning:
  • Questions whether the U.S. assessment of Iran as a threat is justified.
  • Compares to self-defense scenarios: “Imminent threat in my mind, like in the self defense scenario... happens when he goes for it, it's pointed at you.”
    — Mike Glover [07:10]
  • Notes the complexity that Iran is a dangerous regime internally but questions the justification for large-scale U.S. military intervention.

America’s Pattern of Over-Engagement

• [09:00] Mike discusses America's history of entanglement in foreign conflicts:
  • References cycles where involvement meant to be limited escalates to decades-long campaigns.
  • Points out that promises to disengage often go unfulfilled—“Are we going to be out of this war? It’s a full scale campaign.” [10:20]
  • Alludes to covert and clandestine involvement likely still ongoing, even if not officially acknowledged.

America First? Reflections on Policy and Priorities

• [11:30] Mike reflects on whether current policy serves U.S. citizens:
  • Criticizes the redirection of taxpayer resources toward foreign wars and domestic fraud.
  • Shares a personal anecdote about the VA:
    “The VA is the worst it’s ever been. Is that America first as a priority? I just got an $8,000 bill for a lower back… that VA just denied.”
    — Mike Glover [12:50]
  • Cites concerning statistics about veteran suicide rates and under-resourced care.

The Influence of Israel and U.S. Allies

• [14:30] Mike asks critical questions about foreign influence:
  • Highlights Kent’s claim: U.S. involvement driven not by imminent threat but outside pressure (especially from Israel).
  • Emphasizes the need to scrutinize the extent of allied influence on U.S. military engagement:
    “How much influence does another country have?... Why are we sacrificing… American lives for another country when we should be doing it for ourselves?”
    — Mike Glover [16:15]
  • Makes clear his own neutrality and respect for Israel while pressing the integrity of U.S. policy decisions.

Tulsi Gabbard’s Response

• [18:00] Mike reads and analyzes Tulsi Gabbard’s Instagram post:
  • Gabbard asserts that as Commander in Chief, Trump has the authority to determine threats and take action.
  • Mike pushes back:
    “If Joe Kent comes forward and says Iran is not an imminent threat and Trump says execute anyway, then… why are we doing that?”
    — Mike Glover [19:10]
  • Points out that Gabbard, once a prominent anti-war voice, is now complicit in escalation.

President Trump’s Statement

• [20:10] Shares Trump’s reaction: describes Kent as “a nice guy,” but “weak on security.”
  • Mike disagrees, defending Kent’s integrity and experience:
    “Joe is the strongest human being I know… He isn’t bought by anybody… not going to fabricate this illusion when it comes to truth.”
    — Mike Glover [20:45]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On defining threats:
  “Imminent threat in my mind, like in the self-defense scenario... happens when he goes for it, it's pointed at you.”
  — Mike Glover [07:10]

• On U.S. military overreach:
  “It starts as yeah, we’re just going to be on the ground for a couple weeks, maybe even months and the next thing you know… we are over invested. And then two decades later we’re like what are we even doing?”
  — Mike Glover [09:40]

• On veterans’ treatment:
  “The VA is the worst it’s ever been… I just got an $8,000 bill for a lower back surgery… that VA just denied.”
  — Mike Glover [12:50]

• On being America First:
  “Why are we sacrificing our resources, assets, treasure and significantly our blood… when we should be doing it for ourselves?”
  — Mike Glover [16:15]

• On Kent’s integrity:
  “The difference is, he isn’t bought by anybody. He hasn’t compromised his integrity, and he’s not willing for any man, only God, not for any man, going to lie to the American people.”
  — Mike Glover [20:45]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:30] Introduction to Joe Kent’s resignation
• [05:05] What makes a threat ‘imminent’
• [09:00] Analysis of U.S. war engagement cycles
• [11:30] Personal reflections on VA and America-first policy
• [14:30] The role of the Israeli lobby and allied influence
• [18:00] Tulsi Gabbard’s response and implications
• [20:10] President Trump’s statement and Mike’s defense of Kent

Summary & Takeaways

Mike Glover’s urgent reaction episode offers listeners a behind-the-headlines look at Joe Kent’s resignation and the tangled web of American foreign policy, particularly regarding Iran and Israel. Glover questions the wisdom and motivations behind ongoing military involvement, foregrounds concerns about America’s priorities—especially for veterans and taxpayers—and highlights the personal integrity and experience Joe Kent brought to his role. Listeners are encouraged to reflect critically on the consequences of foreign influence and whether current U.S. policy truly puts America first.