The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is reportedly investigating Joe Kent, the former director of the National Counterterrorism Center, over an alleged leak of classified information. The inquiry predates Kent's resignation on Tuesday, according to reports from Semafor and CBS News. The FBI has declined to comment on the existence of any investigation.
Kent, a staunch Donald Trump ally, resigned from his post in protest over US airstrikes on Iran on 28 February. In his first media interview since stepping down, speaking to right-wing commentator Tucker Carlson, Kent claimed that dissenting voices were excluded from the decision-making process. He alleged that key officials were not allowed to express their opinions to the president and that there was no robust debate.
Kent asserted that there was no intelligence indicating Iran posed an imminent threat or was close to acquiring a nuclear weapon. He claimed that Israel effectively forced Trump's hand, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials lobbying the president with claims not aligned with established intelligence channels. Kent's remarks have drawn criticism, with some arguing that references to an 'Israeli lobby' veer into offensive tropes.
Kent, a former Green Beret and CIA officer, said he resigned because his concerns were ignored. 'I know this path that we’re on, it doesn’t work,' he told Carlson. 'I can’t be a part of this in good conscience.' Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard stated that it is up to President Trump alone to decide whether Iran poses a threat.
