FBI Investigates Former Counterterrorism Head Over Alleged Leaks
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has launched an investigation into Joe Kent, the former top counterterrorism official under the Trump administration, regarding alleged leaks of classified information. Sources familiar with the matter have confirmed to CBS News that the probe began before Kent's resignation earlier this week from his role as director of the United States National Counterterrorism Center.
Resignation and Allegations
Kent announced his resignation on Tuesday, citing his inability to support the war in Iran "in good conscience," asserting that the country "posed no imminent threat" to the United States. The White House has dismissed this claim. In his resignation letter addressed to President Trump, Kent argued that the war was initiated "due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby," a statement that has drawn criticism from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which labeled the accusations as trafficking in "old-age antisemitic tropes."
Details of the FBI Probe
The investigation is being handled by the FBI's criminal division and has been ongoing for some time, according to one source. It focuses on Kent's alleged involvement in leaking classified information, though specific details of the leaks have not been disclosed. Shortly after his resignation, former deputy White House chief of staff Taylor Budowich claimed that Kent was "often at the center of national security leaks" and accused him of working to "subvert the chain of command and undermine the President of the United States."
Kent's Public Statements
In an interview with right-wing podcaster Tucker Carlson, Kent reiterated his stance, stating that there was "no intelligence" suggesting Iran would launch a "sneak attack" on the U.S. and that Iran was not close to obtaining a nuclear weapon. He also alleged that key decision-makers had limited access to Trump prior to the Iran war, leading to a lack of "robust debate" before the strikes. Despite these controversies, Kent noted that he had a "great" conversation with Trump about his resignation and believed they parted on good terms personally.
BBC News has reached out to the FBI and Kent for comment on the allegations, but responses are pending as the investigation continues.
