FBI Investigates Former Counterterrorism Chief Over Potential Leak
WASHINGTON (AP) – The FBI is investigating whether Joe Kent, who recently resigned as director of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center, improperly disclosed classified information. The probe predates Kent’s public resignation on Tuesday, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Kent stepped down citing his opposition to military strikes against Iran, publicly stating on X (formerly Twitter) that “Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation” and attributing the conflict to “pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.”
The investigation comes amid a backdrop of heightened scrutiny of individuals connected to the Trump administration. The Justice Department has pursued multiple investigations into political opponents of President Donald Trump over the past year, including former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, with varying degrees of success.
President Trump, when questioned about Kent’s departure, described the former counterterrorism chief as “weak on security” and indicated he preferred officials who viewed Iran as a threat. Other Trump administration officials, including CIA Director John Ratcliffe, have distanced themselves from Kent’s assessment.
Kent, a former Army warrant officer and CIA paramilitary officer, served as director of the National Counterterrorism Center from 2025 to 2026, according to his Wikipedia profile. The details of the FBI’s investigation, first reported by Semafor, remain limited.
The timing of the investigation and Kent’s outspoken criticism of the administration’s Iran policy raise questions about potential political motivations, though officials have not commented on that aspect. The case underscores the sensitive nature of classified information and the potential consequences for those who may mishandle it.
