The FBI is looking into Joe Kent, a military veteran, for allegedly leaking classified information. This investigation was reported by various sources, and this scrutiny came just before Kent resigned from his position as director of the National Counterterrorism Center.
According to insiders, Kent is believed to have shared sensitive information with Tucker Carlson and a conservative podcaster, particularly regarding Israel and Iran. The White House directed inquiries to the FBI, which has not provided any comments. Kent has yet to respond to requests for his input.
As a retired Green Beret and former CIA employee under President Trump, Kent was nominated to become the NCTC Director in early 2025 and confirmed with a 52-44 vote in July. In his resignation announcement, he mentioned that Iran doesn’t pose an immediate threat to the U.S. and indicated that pressure from Israel influenced the decision to go to war.
In his resignation letter, Kent expressed concerns about a misinformation campaign that he thinks has tainted the America First agenda, showcasing parallels to tactics used in the Iraq War. He criticized how powerful interests have shaped public perceptions about Iran, calling it “a lie.”
When asked about Kent’s statements, Trump seemed to suggest that he wasn’t surprised by Kent’s resignation. He commented, “When I read the statement, he said Iran was not a threat, so I realized it was a good thing for him to step back.” It seems that Trump still views Iran as a significant threat.
In the past, Kent has voiced his strong opinions about Iran, urging Trump in 2020 to take decisive military action and withdraw troops from Iraq. White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt responded, labeling Kent’s resignation letter as containing “false claims” and dismissing the notion that Trump acted under foreign influence as “insulting and laughable.”
Kent recently spoke on Tucker Carlson’s show, where he emphasized his grievances about the administration’s Iran policy and past recommendations that he believes were ignored. He criticized earlier comments from House Speaker Mike Johnson and Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding actions against Iran.
He also argued that U.S. intelligence shows that Iran isn’t close to developing nuclear weapons or posing an immediate military threat. Kent indicated that many advisers were not permitted to share their views with Trump on this critical issue.
In a notable remark, he confessed, “I quit because I’m under investigation.” Kent pointed to the assassination of a key aide who opposed war with Iran, suggesting this event warranted further investigation.
An insider familiar with the FBI’s inquiry into Kent noted that he had been under surveillance for several months. They insisted that the investigation is not retaliation for his resignation but rather a result of his own concerns about potential wrongdoing.
