FBI Investigates Former Counterterrorism Chief Joe Kent For Alleged Leaks Amid Iran War Fallout

The FBI is investigating Joe Kent, the former National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) Director, over alleged leaks of classified information, multiple sources familiar with the matter confirmed. This investigation began prior to Kent’s resignation earlier this week, which came amid his vocal criticism of the Trump administration’s handling of the ongoing conflict with Iran.

The probe is being handled by the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division, as is typical for cases involving national security leaks. The FBI declined to comment on the investigation, and Kent has yet to respond to requests for comment.

LEAK ALLEGATIONS FOLLOW RESIGNATION

Kent’s resignation on March 15 drew significant attention, particularly after he accused the Trump administration of mishandling the war with Iran. In an open letter, Kent criticized the decision to launch the conflict, claiming that Iran “posed no imminent threat to our nation” and that the war was driven by pressure from Israel and its American lobbyists.

“I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran,” Kent wrote, outlining his reasons for stepping down.

KENT’S CRITICISM OF THE ADMINISTRATION

Kent elaborated on his reasoning during an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, where he dismissed the intelligence claims that Iran posed an imminent threat. He also claimed that there had been little debate within the administration, arguing that Israeli interests “drove the decision” to go to war.

“There was no intelligence that Iran was going to preemptively attack the U.S. or was on the cusp of building a nuclear weapon,” Kent said, adding that the U.S. had not engaged in a robust discussion about the Iran threat before launching the war.

WHITE HOUSE PUSHBACK

The White House quickly responded to Kent’s resignation letter, rejecting his claims and asserting that Iran did pose a direct and imminent threat to the United States. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called Kent’s statements “false” and “insulting,” particularly the suggestion that U.S. actions were influenced by Israel.

Leavitt also downplayed Kent’s role in the administration, stating that he had not been involved in any discussions related to the Iran conflict and had not contributed to recent intelligence briefings.

KENT RESPONDS TO CLAIMS OF BEING OUT OF THE LOOP

In his interview with Carlson, Kent seemed to respond directly to the White House’s claims that he was out of the loop.

“I’m sure the administration will come out and say, ‘No, you just weren’t invited,’ but I’ve got a pretty good idea of how those meetings look,” Kent said. “Even if I wasn’t invited, I at least would’ve known that they took place.”

TRUMP DISTANCES HIMSELF FROM KENT

President Donald Trump, when asked about Kent’s resignation, distanced himself from the former counterterrorism chief.

“I always thought he was weak on security,” Trump told reporters. “I didn’t know him well, but I thought he seemed like a pretty nice guy. But when I read his statement, I realized that it’s a good thing that he’s out, because he said that Iran was not a threat. Iran was a threat. Every country realized what a threat Iran was.”

PAST CONTROVERSIES AND POLITICAL CONNECTIONS

Kent has faced controversy in the past, including his association with far-right figures. During his campaign for Congress, Kent paid a member of the far-right Proud Boys group for consulting work, which drew scrutiny. He also publicly questioned the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election and made inflammatory remarks about Dr. Anthony Fauci, calling for charges against him related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kent’s resignation adds another layer of complexity to an already fractious political and national security environment, with divisions growing over the handling of the Iran conflict. His public defection from the administration and the subsequent FBI investigation are likely to fuel further debates about the future of U.S. policy in the Middle East and the integrity of national security operations.