Probe began before his departure, officials say…
WASHINGTON — The FBI is investigating former National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent following his resignation this week amid the Trump administration’s war with Iran, according to officials familiar with the matter.
Kent, a former Army Special Forces soldier and CIA paramilitary officer, stepped down on March 17 after publicly breaking with President Donald Trump over the administration’s justification for the conflict. His departure marks the first high-level resignation tied directly to the war and comes after a high-profile White House meeting.
The FBI probe is focused on whether Kent improperly shared classified information. Officials say the investigation began prior to his resignation, and no charges have been announced. Details about the alleged disclosures remain unclear.
In his resignation, Kent argued that Iran did not pose an imminent threat to the United States and suggested the path to war had been shaped by misinformation and outside influence. His claims directly contradicted the White House’s position that military action was necessary to counter a credible threat.
Trump responded sharply, dismissing Kent as “weak on security” and defending the administration’s handling of the conflict. White House officials have also rejected Kent’s assertions, calling them inaccurate and reaffirming confidence in the intelligence used to justify the war.
As Semafor’s Shelby Talcott reported:
In his resignation letter, Kent wrote that Iran “posed no imminent threat to our nation” and accused President Donald Trump of starting the war because of “pressure from Israel.”
The investigation predates Kent’s departure, the four people said; one of them described it as being months-long. Trump aides and allies denounced Kent as a leaker immediately after his resignation became public.
The FBI and the White House declined to comment. Kent did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Kent’s exit and the subsequent FBI investigation have added new tension to an already contentious debate in Washington over U.S. policy toward Iran. Lawmakers from both parties have raised questions about the rationale behind the conflict, while others have criticized Kent’s public break with the administration.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
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