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During Tuesday’s episode of “CNN News Central,” Representative Jim Himes (D-CT), the Ranking Member of the House Intelligence Committee, addressed the resignation letter of former National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent. Himes remarked that Kent’s letter seemed to invoke long-standing antisemitic stereotypes, suggesting manipulation of media or influence over various sectors. Nonetheless, Himes acknowledged Kent as a rare figure in the Trump administration who chose to resign based on moral convictions.
While discussing the allegations made by Kent about Israel’s influence on the U.S.’s involvement in Operation Epic Fury, co-host Brianna Keilar pressed Himes for clarity. She inquired, “Kent claims that the Israelis entangled the U.S. in the Iraq War. Do you find that believable?”
Himes replied, “Honestly, I have no insight into the conversations between the prime minister and the president.”
Keilar interjected, emphasizing the importance of the contents of the resignation letter. She questioned whether Himes had thoroughly reviewed the letter before expressing his admiration for Kent’s principled stance.
Himes confirmed that he had indeed read the entire letter.
Keilar then probed further, asking, “Do you think Kent’s concerns are entirely justified, or could there be another perspective given his strong anti-Israel sentiments? Critics argue that some of his views verge on antisemitism, especially since he has been linked to white nationalist groups and has distanced himself from these connections during political campaigns or appointments. What’s your take on this?”
Himes answered, “Yeah, look, I’m not your guy to comment on Joe Kent. I’ve been in a room with him two or three times. And I’m aware of his background. But let me say two things that I do know to be true: Number one, I know where the Israeli prime minister has been on the subject of Iran for a very, very long time. He’s expressed his views on Iran and the necessity to take on Iran very, very clearly to lots and lots of people, including me. Number two, and I would say this to your point, I think you have to tread extremely careful. And I read Joe Kent’s letter very, very, very closely. You need to tread very, very carefully in the words you use, because, sadly, Joe Kent’s language plays into traditional antisemitic tropes of the Jews controlling this or that or controlling the media. And at a time when synagogues are being attacked, when there is a massive upwelling of antisemitism, I think you should be a great deal more precise than Joe Kent was in his letter.”
Keilar then asked, “Are Democrats in danger of lauding someone’s sort of opinion here that, perhaps, they may not want to fully associate with?”
Himes responded, “Well, I can only speak for this Democrat, and you can reread my tweet if you want. Again, I had my differences with Joe Kent, many differences with Joe Kent, but I do have to hold him up as a guy who — and this is extremely rare in the Trump administration — as a guy who is willing to resign because of his principles. I don’t see that anywhere in this administration otherwise. I don’t, frankly, see it much in the Congress of the United States. So don’t take my admiration for his resigning as a matter of principle as an endorsement of anything else that Joe Kent believes. But principle matters.”
