Former National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent, who stepped down on Tuesday amid disagreements over the ongoing conflict with Iran, is now under federal investigation. According to reporting from Semafor, the FBI has opened a leak inquiry into Kent over allegations that he improperly shared classified information. The bureau’s Criminal Division is reportedly handling the case, which sources say has been ongoing for several months, predating Kent’s resignation.
Kent became the first senior official from the Trump administration to resign in protest over the Iran war. In his resignation letter, he argued that Iran did not present an immediate threat to the United States and criticized the origins of the conflict, attributing it in part to influence from Israel and its lobbying efforts in Washington. Kent’s departure has brought heightened attention to internal disagreements within the administration about the justification and management of the war.
Following his resignation, Kent spoke with media outlets, detailing what he described as an inability to provide dissenting viewpoints to top White House officials. He asserted that key intelligence suggesting a lack of imminent Iranian aggression was not reaching decision-makers and expressed frustration that internal debate within the administration was stifled. According to Kent, his attempts to ensure alternative perspectives were considered were being systematically blocked, leaving him unable to influence the administration’s direction on national security matters.
Amid these developments, former deputy White House chief of staff Taylor Budowich publicly accused Kent of being “at the center of national security leaks,” though no specific evidence or examples were provided. The allegations coincide with Kent’s scheduled appearance at the Catholic Prayer for America Gala in Washington, where he is set to speak alongside public figures including Candace Owens, retired General Michael Flynn, and commentator Matt Walsh.
The White House has pushed back against Kent’s criticisms. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed his claims as both “insulting and laughable,” maintaining that the administration’s assessment of Iran’s threat level was accurate. Former President Trump also criticized Kent, describing his resignation as beneficial and labeling him “weak on security,” signaling continued public disagreement between the former director and senior officials over the conduct of the war.
The investigation into Kent adds a new layer of complexity to the ongoing debate over national security and the handling of sensitive intelligence. Legal experts note that leak investigations involving senior government officials are typically thorough and can span months or even years, especially when classified information is potentially at stake. The inquiry, combined with Kent’s vocal opposition to the administration’s Iran strategy, underscores the high-stakes environment facing U.S. national security leaders.
Kent’s resignation and the subsequent FBI inquiry mark a rare public fracture within the national security apparatus of the Trump administration. Analysts suggest that the situation could influence both internal policy discussions and public perceptions of the U.S. approach to foreign conflicts. Observers are now closely watching how the investigation progresses and whether additional officials may speak out on the handling of intelligence related to the Iran war.
