The FBI has launched an investigation into Joe Kent, who served as President Donald Trump's director of the National Counterterrorism Center, over allegations that he mishandled classified information, according to multiple news reports.
Four unnamed sources familiar with the matter told Semafor on Wednesday that the probe began before Kent left the administration and has been ongoing for months. The investigation is being handled by the bureau's Criminal Division, a source told CBS News.
Kent, a 20-year Army veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, resigned on Tuesday, citing opposition to the war in Iran. In his resignation letter, shared on X, he wrote: '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.'
Taylor Budowich, a former deputy White House chief of staff, appeared to allude to the investigation shortly after Kent stepped down, writing on X that the ex-counterterrorism chief was 'often at the center of national security leaks.'
The White House has dismissed Kent's departure as inconsequential. Trump spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said on Wednesday that 'it's been a while since the president has seen him here at the White House' and that Kent was not involved in discussions about the Iran operation. She also disputed Kent's claim that Iran posed no threat, asserting that Trump 'had strong and compelling evidence that Iran was going to attack the United States first.'
The Independent has attempted to reach Kent for comment. An FBI spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
