Month: March 2026

Joe Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, resigned Tuesday, becoming the highest-ranking official in President Donald Trump’s administration to step down over the ongoing war in Iran Kent’s successor will need to be nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate.

In a post on social media, Kent said: “After much reflection, I have decided to resign from my position as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, effective today. I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby. It has been an honor serving under @POTUS and @DNIGabbard and leading the professionals at NCTC. May God bless America.”

In his attached letter to the President, Kent said that he warned against continuing a conflict he believes would cost American lives without clear benefit, writing that he “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.”

Appointed by Trump in early 2025 and confirmed by the Senate months later, Kent served as the president’s top counterterrorism adviser, overseeing efforts to track and combat global threats. A former Green Beret with extensive combat and intelligence experience, he had previously run unsuccessful congressional campaigns in Washington state and was known for his strong alignment with Trump.

In his resignation letter, Kent pointed to a shift in policy following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in mid-2025. He wrote that prior to that moment, the president had recognized that Middle East conflicts often drained American resources and lives. Kent, whose wife was killed in a 2019 suicide bombing in Syria, emphasized the personal cost of war. He also made controversial claims that pro-war sentiment had been fueled by outside influence, asserting that media figures and Israeli officials promoted the idea of an imminent threat. “This echo chamber was used to deceive you into believing that Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States,” he wrote, adding, “This was a lie…”

The resignation comes as the conflict enters its third week and just ahead of expected congressional testimony from intelligence leaders, including Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. Kent previously served as her chief of staff, and his departure adds to questions about internal divisions within the administration.

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A 41-year-old Afghan refugee who once worked alongside U.S. forces has died less than a day after being detained by immigration authorities in North Texas, prompting calls from relatives and community leaders for an independent investigation.

Mohammad Nazeer Paktyawal, a father of six, was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on March 13 near his home in Richardson, Texas. According to family members, agents detained him early that morning while he was preparing to take his children to school.

ICE said that Paktyawal had complained of chest pain and shortness of breath at a Dallas field office processing area before being transported to Parkland Hospital. Doctors initially treated him for breathing problems and advised that he remain for observation. Early the next morning, medical staff noticed his tongue had swollen significantly and began emergency treatment. Despite multiple attempts to revive him, he was pronounced dead at 9:10 a.m. Authorities say the cause of death remains under investigation.

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security defended the agency’s medical protocols: “No one in ICE custody is denied access to proper medical care,” said DHS deputy assistant secretary Lauren Bis. “It is a longstanding practice to provide comprehensive medical care from the moment an alien enters ICE custody. This includes medical, dental, and mental health services as available, and access to medical appointments and 24-hour emergency care. This is the best healthcare that [sic] many aliens have received in their entire lives.”

Paktyawal arrived in the United States in 2021 after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, entering under the U.S. evacuation program known as Operation Allies Refuge. ICE said he was granted temporary humanitarian parole at that time but that the authorization expired in August 2025. The agency also stated he had prior arrests in 2025 related to alleged SNAP fraud and theft. Family members dispute aspects of that account and say he had an active immigration case and legal work authorization while seeking asylum.

Before leaving Afghanistan, relatives and advocates say Paktyawal spent more than a decade working with U.S. Army Special Forces beginning around 2005. Advocacy group AfghanEvac has said documents show he assisted American troops in eastern Afghanistan near the Pakistan border.

In a statement Sunday, ICE described Paktyawal as a “criminal illegal alien from Afghanistan” and said that Paktyawal had been arrested in a “targeted enforcement action” and that he had not reported any prior medical history. It said it was “committed to ensuring that all those in custody reside in safe, secure and humane environments.” According to the statement, Paktyawal had been arrested twice since the fall: once Sept. 16 for SNAP fraud and once Nov. 1 for theft. Paktyawal’s family has disputed the accuracy of that information.

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White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, but plans to remain in her role while undergoing treatment, President Trump announced Monday.

Trump shared the news in a post on Truth Social, saying: “Susie Wiles is an incredible Chief of Staff, a great person, and one of the strongest people I know but, unfortunately, she has been diagnosed with early stage breast cancer, and has decided to take on this challenge, IMMEDIATELY, as opposed to waiting. She has a fantastic medical team, and her prognosis is excellent! During the treatment period, she will be spending virtually full time at the White House, which makes me, as President, very happy! Her Strength and her Commitment to continue doing the job she loves, and does so well, while undergoing treatment, tells you everything you need to know about her. Susie, as one of my closest and most important advisors, is tough and deeply committed to serving the American People. She will soon be better than ever! Melania and I are with her in every way, and we look forward to working with Susie on the many big and wonderful things that are happening for the benefit of our Country!” 

Wiles, 68, confirmed the diagnosis in a statement, explaining that the cancer was discovered early. “I am grateful to have an outstanding team of doctors who detected the cancer early and are guiding my care, and I am encouraged by a strong prognosis,” she said. She also thanked the president for his support and said she plans to continue serving as chief of staff.

Speaking before a meeting of the Kennedy Center Board at the White House, Trump called Wiles “an amazing person, an amazing fighter,” describing the diagnosis as a “minor difficulty” and saying she had already started treatment.

Messages of support quickly followed from across the administration and Capitol Hill. Vice President JD Vance said that “The Vance family is praying for our dear friend as she takes on her next fight!” and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote “Susie Wiles epitomizes what it means to be a strong leader. She is also one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. Susie led President Trump’s historic 2024 comeback campaign and is now spearheading the most successful administration in history. I know I speak for the President and the entire White House when I say that we are all praying for Susie and rallying behind her as she prepares to fight this battle against breast cancer. ”

Wiles has long been a central figure in Trump’s political circle. She served as co–campaign manager for his 2024 presidential run before becoming the first woman to hold the position of White House chief of staff. Trump has frequently praised her leadership, once referring to her as the “most powerful woman in the world.”

Before returning to national politics, Wiles built a long career in political strategy, including key roles in Florida campaigns and work on Ronald Reagan’s presidential campaign early in her career. She is also the daughter of the late NFL kicker and broadcaster Pat Summerall.

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The U.S. Department of Defense has identified the six American airmen who were killed when a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft crashed Thursday in western Iraq during a mission supporting operations connected to the conflict with Iran.

Military officials said the aircraft went down in what was considered “friendly” airspace while conducting a refueling mission linked to Operation Epic Fury. Authorities noted the incident involved another aircraft, which landed safely. The crash was not the result of hostile action or friendly fire, and the cause remains under investigation. Officials said another Stratotanker involved in the incident declared an emergency but landed safely in Tel Aviv with no reported injuries.

The fallen crew members served in two different refueling wings within the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard. Three of the airmen were assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida:

• Maj. John A. Klinner, 33, of Auburn, Georgia
• Capt. Ariana G. Sabino, 31, of Covington, Washington
• Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Kentucky

They were part of the 99th Air Refueling Squadron based at Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base in Birmingham, Alabama.

The other three airmen served with the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio:

• Capt. Seth R. Kobal, 38, of Mooresville, Indiana
• Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30, of Wilmington, Ohio
• Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28, of Columbus, Ohio

Following the announcement, officials from both states shared messages honoring the airmen.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey wrote, “Three of the service members who lost their lives in duty to our nation were stationed at the 117th in Birmingham,” adding, “They were not only outstanding Airmen. They were our neighbors — our fellow Alabamians. May their service and that of their families never be forgot.”

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and his wife also expressed grief over the loss of the Ohio-based airmen, noting that their work supporting long-range missions was essential to national defense. In a message posted online, DeWine wrote, “Every mission they undertook involved risks that they were willing to take and the courage to put the lives of others above their own,” adding, “They served with honor.”

Ohio Adjutant General Matthew S. Woodruff also praised the fallen service members, saying, “Today we mourn the loss of three remarkable Airmen whose service and commitment embodied the very best of our Ohio National Guard.”

The KC-135 Stratotanker is designed to refuel military aircraft mid-flight, allowing them to remain airborne longer and carry out extended missions. The aircraft can also transport wounded personnel and support surveillance operations. The U.S. Air Force has relied on the tanker for more than six decades.

The Pentagon confirmed the crash remains under investigation. The six airmen’s deaths bring the total number of U.S. service members killed in connection with the ongoing conflict with Iran, which began in late February, to 13.

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Israel’s military said Sunday that the brother of the man accused of attacking a Michigan synagogue earlier this week was a Hezbollah commander killed in an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon.

In a statement posted online, the Israel Defense Forces said Ibrahim Muhammad Ghazali managed weapons operations for Hezbollah’s Badr unit, which it said had launched “hundreds of rockets toward Israeli civilians” during the war. The IDF said he was “eliminated in an airstrike last week” when Israeli forces struck a Hezbollah facility believed to be storing weapons. Lebanese officials confirmed that Ibrahim Ghazali was killed in the March 5 strike in the town of Mashghara. Several family members were also killed, including his children, Ali and Fatima, and another brother, Kassim, while his wife was seriously wounded.

However, a Hezbollah official speaking anonymously to The New York Times disputed Israel’s claim, saying neither Ibrahim Ghazali nor his family were members of the group.

Meanwhile, U.S. authorities have not confirmed the Israeli military’s claims. The FBI’s Detroit office declined to comment, saying, “Out of respect for the ongoing investigation, we will continue to refrain from commenting on its substance.”

The synagogue attacker, Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, a 41-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen born in Lebanon, allegedly carried out the assault Thursday at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township, near Detroit. Investigators say he had recently learned that several relatives were killed in the Israeli strike in Lebanon. Authorities say Ghazali waited outside the synagogue for about two hours in a Ford F-150 before crashing the truck into the building. Inside the vehicle, investigators found a rifle, commercial-grade fireworks and containers believed to contain gasoline.

After the crash, Ghazali fired through his windshield and exchanged gunfire with an armed security guard. The truck’s engine caught fire, igniting the fuel and fireworks. Ghazali later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after the vehicle became disabled.

No one else was killed in the attack. A security guard was injured, and dozens of responding officers were treated for smoke inhalation. More than 100 children and staff members inside the building were unharmed. The FBI described the incident as a “targeted act of violence against the Jewish community.”

Federal officials say Ghazali entered the U.S. legally in 2011 through a spouse sponsorship and became a citizen in 2016. Law-enforcement officials said his name had previously appeared in government databases due to contacts with individuals suspected of ties to Hezbollah, though investigators do not believe he was a member.

On the same day as the Michigan attack, a separate shooting at Old Dominion University in Virginia left one person dead and two injured. Authorities said the suspect, Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a former Virginia National Guard member, had previously served prison time for attempting to aid ISIS.

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