Candace Owens on Joe Kent's Resignation and Turning Point USA Arkansas Chapter Disaffiliation Over Iran War Opposition

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Candace Owens on Joe Kent's Resignation and Turning Point USA Arkansas Chapter Disaffiliation Over Iran War Opposition

Candace Owens examines two major acts of political courage: Joe Kent's resignation as Director of National Counterterrorism over opposition to the Iran conflict, and the University of Arkansas Turning Point USA chapter's decision to disaffiliate from the national organization. Kent, an 11-time combat veteran who lost his wife Shannon to a suicide bomber in Syria, publicly stated he cannot support a war with Iran that poses no imminent threat to America. Meanwhile, the Arkansas TPUSA chapter cited concerns over how the late Charlie Kirk's legacy has been manipulated since his death. Owens also discusses comedian Theo Von's viral comments about Israel's actions feeling "satanic," the ongoing harassment of Catholic events by pro-Israel activists, and bizarre speculation surrounding Benjamin Netanyahu's recent public appearances. She argues these moments represent a spiritual battle where courage inspires more courage against powerful establishment forces.

Categories: Investigation
March 17, 2026

Joe Kent's Principled Resignation

Joe Kent, the Director of National Counterterrorism Center, resigned from his position citing opposition to what he calls an illegal war with Iran. Kent is not simply a political appointee—he is an 11-time combat veteran whose wife Shannon Kent was killed by a suicide bomber in Syria in January 2019, leaving behind two young children aged three years and 18 months at the time. Shannon was the first female combat death in Syria since operations began against ISIS and the first female US service member killed by enemy fire in more than three years.

In his resignation letter addressed to President Trump, Kent wrote that Iran posed no imminent threat to the United States and that the war was started due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby. He stated: "As a veteran who deployed to combat 11 times and as a gold star husband who lost my beloved wife Shannon in a war manufactured by Israel, I cannot support sending the next generation off to fight and die in a war that serves no benefit to the American people, nor justifies the cost of American lives."

Kent reminded Trump that in his first administration, he understood how to decisively apply military power without getting drawn into never-ending wars, citing the killing of Qasem Soleimani and defeating ISIS as examples. He warned that high-ranking Israeli officials and influential American media deployed a misinformation campaign that undermined Trump's America First platform and sowed pro-war sentiments to encourage war with Iran.

Trump's Dismissive Response

When asked about Kent's resignation, Trump's response was dismissive and disrespectful. He said: "I always thought he was a nice guy, but I always thought he was weak on security. Very weak on security." Trump then rambled about the Iran nuclear deal and Obama sending cash to Iran, avoiding any substantive response to Kent's concerns about an imminent threat or the justification for putting American troops in harm's way.

The response shocked many observers, given Kent's extensive combat experience and personal sacrifice. Trump called someone who deployed 11 times "weak on security" while offering no clear articulation of why Iran poses an imminent threat requiring military action.

Immediate Attacks on Kent

Following his resignation, Kent faced immediate attacks from pro-war establishment figures. Senator Lindsey Graham wrote that Kent's resignation "could not have come at a better time" and accused him of "echoing Democratic talking points." Mark Levin suggested Kent might have been about to be fired and called him part of "the radical isolationist woke right cabal." He also insinuated that Kent might have been leaking classified information and suggested the DOJ should open a criminal investigation.

Laura Loomer attacked Kent and referenced his wife who works for Max Blumenthal, calling for everyone to be fired and for Trump to "rule with an iron fist." Alan Dershowitz called him a "neo-Nazi Jew-hating Israel basher" and said "good riddance to bad garbage." Taylor Budowich, former deputy White House chief, called him "a crazed egomaniac who was often at the center of national security leaks."

The coordinated attacks demonstrate the price paid by anyone who opposes military intervention on behalf of Israel, regardless of their credentials or personal sacrifice.

University of Arkansas Turning Point USA Chapter Disaffiliates

In another significant development, the Turning Point USA chapter at the University of Arkansas announced it was disaffiliating from the national organization and rebranding as Young American Revival. The decision was unanimous among the executive board and came just a week after Turning Point CEO Erika Kirk visited Arkansas and Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed a proclamation endorsing TPUSA chapters in schools statewide.

Chapter president Dino Fontigrassi, who has been with Turning Point USA for more than five years, published a letter explaining the decision. He wrote: "We are generally put off by how Charlie Kirk has been used by Turning Point USA since his assassination. Statements like 'Charlie would have said' and 'Charlie would have wanted' have felt in many instances disingenuous and manipulative. Charlie Kirk cannot speak for himself anymore. And we do not recognize the way others have attempted to speak for him."

Fontigrassi emphasized that the most important lesson he took from his interactions with Charlie was "the importance of being your own man or woman. Sometimes that means making tough decisions just like this one." He had previously participated in a sit-down with Charlie Kirk where they discussed Israel and Gaza, so he had firsthand knowledge of Charlie's evolving views on these topics.

Theo Von's Viral Comments on Israel

Comedian Theo Von posted a video sharing his perspective on America's relationship with Israel that quickly went viral. Speaking from the heart, Von said: "I do have a lot of discomfort about America's relationship with Israel, the Israeli political leaders. I just I believe that that group is it is it just feels like a satanic regime. It doesn't seem like it feels like they just want to cause pain."

He continued: "They don't even know where all the bodies from Gaza are and they're already moved on to other places that they are attacking and that America's associated now with their attacks. And I don't I I believe that that will come here one day. I don't believe that that the Israeli leaders that they have any intention to to stop that. I I don't see that they have any care for the American people. It doesn't seem like that. I've never heard that spoken."

Von expressed concern that if Americans don't speak up now, their children won't have the chance to speak up either "by law or by worse." He acknowledged some might think he's crazy but asked for respect, saying he worked hard to have a voice for himself. His sincerity and willingness to speak despite potential consequences resonated with many viewers.

Harassment of Catholic Events

Candace Owens revealed the extensive harassment campaign being waged against the Catholics for Catholics event in Washington DC where she will be interviewing Joe Kent. The event, organized by Johnny Yep, features speakers including Carrie Gress and Kimberly Bowler, with Owens delivering a speech about Mary as a prayer for America.

Despite having no explicitly political theme, the event has faced relentless attacks from pro-Israel activists who have been emailing venues, calling organizers, and demanding cancellations. Owens described it as "literal gangstalking" designed to make anyone who doesn't support Israel radioactive. She explained they create the illusion of massive opposition through bot email campaigns, all saying similar things about protests and threats, when in reality no one shows up.

The harassment campaign illustrates the control mechanisms used to prevent platforms for voices that don't align with pro-Israel narratives, even when those voices are simply gathering for religious purposes.

Speculation About Benjamin Netanyahu

Unusual activity surrounding Benjamin Netanyahu sparked speculation about his condition or whereabouts. On March 10th, Netanyahu made a verified visit to the National Health Command Center looking worn and tired. The next day, rumors circulated that he was hit by an Iranian missile, though this was not confirmed.

On March 12th, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was abruptly pulled from a meeting to go to the situation room for two hours. On March 13th, Ronald Reagan Airport, Dulles Airport, Baltimore Airport, and Richmond Airport—all serving the DC area—were simultaneously shut down for over two hours. Officials initially claimed a strong odor from the Potomac River caused the closure, then later said it was an overheated circuit board.

On March 14th, Netanyahu's official account posted a video that many observers thought looked AI-generated or heavily edited, with a noticeably smoothed face and altered appearance. Netanyahu also missed a Security Council meeting, which was reportedly highly unusual. His son Yair, who normally tweets or retweets about 30 times daily, went completely silent for seven days.

On March 15th, Netanyahu released a highly produced video shot with HD cameras and a boom mic that looked more like a professional production than typical wartime communication. He later posted another produced video with Mike Huckabee joking about being alive and having five fingers on each hand. Most notably, Netanyahu missed a critical military council meeting—something sources claim he has never done before.

The unusual pattern of highly produced videos, missed meetings, and altered appearances fueled speculation that Netanyahu may have been injured or that something significant occurred requiring extensive efforts to prove he remained in control.

The Spiritual Battle and Call to Courage

Owens framed these developments as part of a larger spiritual battle, stating: "We are fighting literal demons." She emphasized that bravery inspires bravery and that people must take action against what she describes as a "hive of liars" in powerful positions who are lying about obvious things.

She expressed particular anger about those who look the other way on issues involving harm to children and the moral compromises made by public figures who prioritize political calculations over principle. Owens stated she will not "play nice" or "go halfway" with people she views as complicit in these systems.

The resignation of Joe Kent and the disaffiliation of the Arkansas TPUSA chapter represent acts of courage that Owens believes will inspire others to take similar stands. She emphasized the importance of people with platforms using them to defend children and speak truth, even at great personal cost.

India Refuses to Send Troops

Adding to the growing list of countries refusing to support the Iran conflict, India declined a request to send troops to the Strait of Hormuz. This adds India to what Owens called "our ever growing list of countries who are telling Trump, you started it, you can finish it." The international community's reluctance to join the conflict underscores the isolation of the United States position and the perception that this is not a defensive action but rather an aggressive war pursued for other interests.

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