What to know about Joe Kent's resignation
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Former director of the National Counterterrorism Center Joe Kent testifies during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images.
Former counterterrorism official Joe Kent catapulted into headlines this week after he claimed in his resignation letter that Iran posed "no imminent threat" to the U.S.
Why it matters: Despite the Trump administration's immediate attacks on his credibility, Kent has typically aligned himself with conservative values and the MAGA brand, previously earning praise from President Trump.
The intrigue: Kent's resignation is the first for a senior administration official over Trump's handling of the war.
- His claims helped expose the split between more isolationist MAGA members and those in lockstep with the president's strategy.
- Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said Trump alone has the power to determine what constitutes an imminent threat to the U.S. during a Wednesday Senate hearing.
- But others, like influential conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, have defended Kent and criticized Israel's relationship with the U.S.
Catch up quick: Prior to his resignation, the FBI reportedly investigated Kent for months over suspicion of leaking classified information to conservative podcasters like Carlson.
- Administration officials claimed the probe prompted Kent's resignation and that the former National Counterterrorism Center director had already been iced out of briefings with Trump.
- Carlson hosted Kent on his show yesterday, where Kent again said there was "no intelligence" suggesting Iran planned a major terrorist attack on the U.S.
Here's what to know about him:
What's his background?
Kent retired from the Army in 2018 after 20 years of service, including 11 combat deployments.
- He served as a Ranger, a member of the Army Special Forces and the U.S. Army Special Operations Command.
- Post-retirement, he worked as a paramilitary officer in the CIA's Special Activities Center.
His first wife, Shannon, served as a Navy cryptologist before a suicide bomber killed her in Syria in 2019.
- In his resignation letter, Kent cited her death as a reason the U.S. should not be involved in Iran.
Kent ran for Congress as a Trump loyalist in Washington's 3rd District in 2022, beating out a Republican who had voted to impeach Trump.
- He lost the 2022 election to then-political unknown Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, who also defeated him in 2024.
Who is he affiliated with?
Kent has known ties to multiple far-right extremists, including members of the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers.
- He was an ally of white nationalist Nick Fuentes and consulted him for campaign strategy before distancing himself after their association became public.
- Kent also paid a Proud Boy at least $11,000 for campaign consulting.
- He's lavished praise on the founder of the Christian nationalist group Patriot Prayer, which often hosts violent demonstrations that draw clashes with left-wing protesters.
Conspiracy theories
Kent has promoted a slew of conservative conspiracy theories that some top Republicans have found too far-fetched to support.
Zoom in: A senior administration official told Axios' Marc Caputo that speaking with Kent was "shocking that he was living in conspiracy land and some of his facts were just wrong."
In 2025, Kent reportedly alarmed FBI Director Kash Patel by accessing evidence related to conservative activist Charlie Kirk's death.
- Kent was investigating whether a foreign power or another suspect had assisted in the shooting, which some officials thought could jeopardize the FBI's case.
He is an ardent believer that Trump won the 2020 election, and has defended Jan. 6 rioters as "political prisoners."
- He's a vocal critic of COVID vaccines, and allegedly said former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci should face murder charges.
Go deeper: FBI investigates ex-U.S. Counterterrorism Center head Joe Kent for alleged leaks
