FBI Investigates Ex-Counterterrorism Chief Joe Kent Over Alleged Leaks
Sources say the FBI opened a leak probe into Joe Kent that predated his resignation as National Counterterrorism Center director after he publicly broke with the administration over the Iran war.
FOX NewsGabbard unaware of FBI probe into Joe Kent before resignation, official says
The Daily WireDid Joe Kent Leak Classified Intel To Tucker Carlson?
BBC NewsJoe Kent: Former counter-terrorism head under FBI investigation over alleged leaks
TruthoutThe FBI Is Investigating Joe Kent, Former Trump Official Who Resigned Over Iran War
Overview
The FBI is investigating former National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent over alleged leaks, and sources said the probe began before he resigned on Tuesday.
Kent resigned on Tuesday after publicly breaking with President Donald Trump over the war in Iran, saying Tehran posed "no imminent threat" and blaming Israel and its "powerful American lobby."
A senior intelligence official said Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard was not aware of the FBI probe before Kent's resignation.
Sources said the probe is being handled by the FBI's criminal division and had been underway for weeks, while the Anti-Defamation League said Kent's resignation accusations "traffic in old-age antisemitic tropes."
Officials said Kent will appear at the Catholic Prayer for America Gala on Thursday, and some reports said FBI Director Kash Patel was considering declassifying information to show the investigation predated Kent's exit.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story as part of a pattern of politically charged DOJ probes, stressing past failures to secure charges and linking this inquiry to broader partisan battles. Editorial choices—loaded phrases like "struggled to make charges stick," prominence of Trump and Kent statements, and scant FBI detail—steer readers toward skepticism.
FAQ
Joe Kent resigned on Tuesday citing his concerns about the justification for military strikes in Iran. He stated he "cannot in good conscience" back the Trump administration's war in Iran, arguing that "Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation" and that "we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby."[3]
Kent is an Oregon native and Norwich University graduate in Strategic Defense Analysis who served 20 years in the U.S. Army with 11 combat deployments in the Middle East and high-threat regions. He served with the 75th Ranger Regiment, Army Special Forces, and U.S. Army Special Operations Command, earning six bronze stars. After retiring from the Army in 2018, he worked as a paramilitary officer in the CIA's Special Activities Center.[1]
Joe Weirsky serves as the Acting Director of the National Counterterrorism Center. He brings nearly three decades of operational and intelligence experience from the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served for 26 years retiring in 2020 as a Master Gunnery Sergeant, and spent 15 years serving within the U.S. Army Special Operations Command.[5]
The FBI is investigating former National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent over alleged leaks. Sources said the probe is being handled by the FBI's criminal division and had been underway for weeks, with the investigation reportedly predating his resignation.
Kent was met with strong opposition from Democrats over past ties to far-right figures and conspiracy theories. During his 2022 congressional campaign, he paid Graham Jorgensen, a member of the far-right military group the Proud Boys, for consulting work, and worked closely with Joey Gibson, the founder of the Christian nationalist group Patriot Prayer.[3]