Mark Masterson

On March 3, after Spain refused to let the U.S. use its air bases for the Iran campaign, Trump said he didn’t need Spain’s help. On March 9, he called it “my honor” to secure the Strait of Hormuz alone. On Friday, he told Fox News he didn’t need help with drone defense. On Saturday, he told NBC News flatly: “We don’t need help.”

Joe Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center and a decorated combat veteran, resigned Tuesday saying Iran posed no imminent threat and the war was driven by Israeli pressure. It is the first major policy resignation of Trump’s second term.

Two weeks into Operation Epic Fury, the Trump administration has offered at least six different justifications for the war in Iran, contradictory timelines, and no credible exit strategy. A majority of Americans say the president has not clearly explained the mission’s purpose.