Joe Kent, the ex-director of the National Counterterrorism Center, is under investigation by the FBI for possible leaks of classified intelligence. This news surfaces just a day after Kent resigned over disagreements with how the Trump Administration managed the Iran conflict.
The investigation comes to light in reports linked to Kent’s resignation, with anonymous sources claiming he is known as a “leaker” and had previously been barred from presidential intelligence briefings due to these suspicions.
The White House allegedly directed Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence, to remove Kent for the same reasons, although she did not act on that at the time. Despite having his access to specific classified information revoked weeks before his resignation, Kent had been present for the president’s intelligence briefings previously.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized the ongoing investigations into leaks within the administration, asserting accountability is paramount. However, she did not specifically address Kent’s situation.
Reports indicate that the investigation commenced before Kent’s official departure from the White House. Prior to his role in the Trump Administration, Kent served as a member of the U.S. Army special forces and later as a CIA paramilitary officer.
Kent, who is a Gold Star husband due to the loss of his wife in a 2019 Syrian bombing, ran for Congress in Washington state’s 3rd District as a Republican and has voiced strong support for Trump’s “America First” policies.
In February 2025, Trump nominated him to lead the National Counterterrorism Center, and after some time as chief of staff, Kent was confirmed by the Senate in July 2025. He managed intelligence related to global terrorist threats and acted as a principal advisor on counterterrorism to the president.
In his resignation letter, Kent addressed Trump directly, stating he could not support the ongoing war in Iran, which he described as lacking imminent national threat. He argued that the war was a result of pressure from Israel and its American supporters.
He reflected on Trump’s earlier policies, noting the dangers of getting entangled in Middle Eastern conflicts that waste U.S. resources, condemning a “misinformation campaign” by certain officials. Kent concluded by urging the president to reassess his military strategies and consider a new direction for the nation.
