The Federal Bureau of Investigation has initiated a formal probe into Joe Kent, the former counterterrorism chief under President Donald Trump, regarding allegations of improper handling of classified information, according to multiple news reports. This development emerges just one day after Kent resigned from his position, citing his opposition to the ongoing war in Iran.
Details of the FBI Investigation
Sources familiar with the matter have disclosed that the FBI's investigation into Kent, who served as director of the National Counterterrorism Center, focuses on accusations that he mishandled sensitive classified data. Four unnamed individuals told Semafor on Wednesday that the probe pertains specifically to these allegations, with one source indicating that the investigation has been ongoing for several months, predating Kent's departure from the administration.
The bureau's Criminal Division is reportedly handling the case, as confirmed by a source to CBS News. An FBI spokesperson did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Independent regarding the investigation.
Resignation and Controversial Claims
Joe Kent, a 20-year Army veteran with service in Iraq and Afghanistan, publicly shared his resignation letter on social media platform X on Tuesday morning. The letter quickly went viral, amassing nearly 100 million views. In it, Kent stated, "I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. 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."
Following his resignation, Kent appeared in an interview with podcast host Tucker Carlson on Wednesday evening, where he reiterated his claims. He asserted that "the Israelis drove the decision to take this action" and maintained that Iran was not close to developing a nuclear bomb, further fueling the controversy surrounding his departure.
White House Response and Political Fallout
The White House has downplayed Kent's resignation, with Trump spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt describing it as inconsequential. She noted on Wednesday, "It's been a while since the president has seen him here at the White House. This was an individual who was not involved in any of the discussions pre-operation and throughout this operation."
Leavitt also countered Kent's assertions about Iran's threat level, writing on X that President Trump "had strong and compelling evidence that Iran was going to attack the United States first." When questioned about Kent on Tuesday, Trump himself commented, "I always thought he was weak on security."
Broader Context and Public Opinion
Taylor Budowich, a former deputy White House chief of staff, appeared to reference the investigation shortly after Kent's resignation, posting on X that the ex-counterterrorism chief was "often at the center of national security leaks." This statement adds to the scrutiny surrounding Kent's actions and the FBI probe.
Recent polling data indicates that more Americans oppose the conflict in Iran than support it, highlighting the divisive nature of the war and the political implications of Kent's resignation and the subsequent investigation. The situation underscores ongoing tensions within the administration regarding national security and foreign policy decisions.
