Former Counterterrorism Chief Joe Kent Under FBI Investigation for Alleged Classified Leaks

The FBI has launched an investigation into former National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent over alleged leaks of classified information, according to three sources familiar with the matter who spoke to Fox News Digital. The investigation reportedly began before Kent left his government position.

Kent resigned Tuesday from his role as the nation’s top counterterrorism official, citing his opposition to what he described as “the U.S. war against Iran.” In his public resignation statement, Kent explained that he “cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war,” arguing that Iran posed no imminent threat to the United States. He further claimed that the conflict represented a departure from the administration’s previous commitment to avoiding extended military engagements in the Middle East.

A senior administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Fox News Digital that Kent had been considered a “known leaker” within intelligence circles. This reputation allegedly resulted in his exclusion from intelligence briefings for several months prior to his resignation. However, it remains unclear whether the FBI’s investigation is connected to these specific allegations or pertains to a separate matter entirely.

The FBI has declined to comment on the investigation when approached by Fox News Digital, and attempts to reach Kent for comment have been unsuccessful.

Kent’s background includes distinguished service as an Army Green Beret and CIA paramilitary officer before his appointment to lead the National Counterterrorism Center in early 2025. He is also a Gold Star spouse, having lost a family member in military service.

The investigation comes at a sensitive time for U.S. intelligence and national security agencies, which have faced increasing scrutiny over information handling protocols in recent years. Unauthorized disclosures of classified information have been a persistent concern for administrations across political lines, with several high-profile cases resulting in criminal charges.

The National Counterterrorism Center plays a crucial role in the U.S. intelligence community, serving as the primary organization for analyzing and integrating all intelligence pertaining to terrorism. As its director, Kent would have had access to highly sensitive information regarding threats to national security and counterterrorism operations worldwide.

Tensions between the United States and Iran have escalated significantly in recent months, though the nature and extent of what Kent characterized as a “war” in his resignation statement remains subject to debate among foreign policy experts. The U.S. has maintained a complex relationship with Iran, involving diplomatic initiatives, economic sanctions, and occasional military confrontations with Iranian-backed proxies throughout the Middle East.

Kent’s public opposition to the administration’s Iran policy represents an unusual break from the typical unity displayed by high-ranking national security officials. Such public dissent from a recently departed counterterrorism chief adds a significant voice to ongoing debates about U.S. strategy in the region.

The investigation into potential leaks of classified information by such a high-ranking intelligence official could have serious implications. Similar cases have resulted in criminal charges under the Espionage Act or related statutes designed to protect national security information.

The timing of the investigation—predating Kent’s resignation but becoming public knowledge shortly after—raises questions about the potential relationship between these events and whether Kent was aware of the FBI’s interest in his activities prior to his departure from government service.

As this story continues to develop, it may shed light on both internal tensions within the intelligence community and broader disagreements over U.S. foreign policy toward Iran and the Middle East.