Senate Confirms Joe Kent as Director of National Counterterrorism Center

As the Senate works to tackle the backlog of candidates, allies of former President Donald Trump are being approved one after another. In the latest development, the Senate confirmed Joe Kent, a former congressional candidate, to lead the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), which operates under the Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard.

The confirmation came with a vote of 52-44 on Wednesday night. Interestingly, a Republican senator from North Carolina opposed Kent’s appointment, while four Democrats did not participate in the voting process.

“It’s an honor to serve my country again and rejoin the fight against terrorism,” Kent expressed in a post on X. He also thanked President Trump and Director Gabbard for their trust in him. Kent promised that the NCTC would relentlessly pursue and defeat threats to the nation, stating, “We will fight in honor of our fallen.”

Kent previously ran for office in Washington but was unsuccessful against his Democratic opponent. He has a significant military background, having enlisted in the Army and spending over two decades in various roles, including in the Ranger Regiment and Special Forces.

Trump voiced his support for Kent, describing him as a persistent fighter against terrorism. In a social media post, he highlighted Kent’s personal sacrifices, mentioning the loss of his wife, Shannon, who died at the hands of ISIS.

Trump further commended Kent, emphasizing that he helps keep America safe by tackling terrorism and addressing challenges posed by local cartels.