Former National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent is under FBI investigation for allegations that he leaked classified information, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.
The probe predates Kent’s resignation from the position, which he submitted on March 17 over his opposition to the Trump administration’s ongoing war in Iran.
Kent, who served as the nation’s top counterterrorism official coordinating intelligence across agencies including the CIA, FBI, and Pentagon, announced his departure in a public statement posted to his X account. In the resignation letter addressed to President Trump, he stated that he could not in good conscience support the conflict.
“Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby,” Kent wrote. He argued that high-ranking Israeli officials and influential members of the American media had deployed a misinformation campaign that undermined Trump’s “America First” platform and swayed pro-war sentiments.
Kent praised Trump’s first-term approach, citing the killing of Qasem Soleimani and the defeat of ISIS as examples of decisive military power without drawing the U.S. into prolonged Middle East wars. He urged the president to reverse course on Iran to avoid repeating past mistakes.
The FBI declined to comment on the investigation when reached by news outlets. Sources told both Fox News Digital and Semafor’s Shelby Talcott that the inquiry into the alleged leaks was already underway before Kent stepped down. Fox News and Talcott reported that the agency had reached out to Kent for comment via phone and email but had not immediately received a response.
The development was first reported by Semafor and quickly confirmed by multiple outlets citing sources familiar with the matter. Details about the specific classified information allegedly leaked remain limited, as the investigation involves sensitive intelligence.
Kent’s resignation and the subsequent revelation of the FBI probe have drawn attention amid broader discussions within the administration and Republican circles about the justification for U.S. military action against Iran. President Trump and other officials have publicly distanced themselves from Kent’s assessment that Iran presented no imminent threat.
The National Counterterrorism Center, which Kent led, plays a central role in analyzing and sharing terrorism-related intelligence across the U.S. government.
As of Wednesday, the FBI investigation remains active, with no charges filed. Further updates are expected as more details emerge.