The FBI is investigating former National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent over allegations that he improperly shared classified information, according to Shelby Talcott, a White House correspondent for Semafor who first reported the story.
The reported leak investigation came to light one day after Kent stepped down from his post. According to Semafor, the inquiry began before his resignation. It has reportedly been ongoing for months, based on accounts from people familiar with the matter.
The FBI declined to confirm or comment on the investigation. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Kent announced his resignation Tuesday in a post on X. He said he could not support the current military conflict with Iran.
“After much reflection, I have decided to resign from my position as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, effective today,” Kent wrote.
“I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran,” he said. “Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.”
In a letter addressed to President Donald Trump, Kent said he still supported the foreign policy ideas Trump had campaigned on. He pointed to the campaigns in 2016, 2020, and 2024. He also argued that the administration had shifted away from its earlier approach to Middle East conflicts.
“I support the values and the foreign policies that you campaigned on in 2016, 2020, 2024, which you enacted in your first term,” Kent wrote. “Until June of 2025, you understand that the wars in the Middle East were a trap that robbed America of the precious lives of our patriots and depleted the wealth and prosperity of our nation.”
Kent also accused Israeli officials and parts of the American media of pushing misinformation. He said it helped drive the United States into war with Iran.
“Early in the administration, high-ranking Israeli officials and influential members of the American media deployed a misinformation campaign that wholly undermined your America First platform and sowed pro-war sentiments to encourage a war with Iran,” Kent wrote. “This echo chamber was used to deceive you into believing that Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States, and that should you strike now, there was a clear path to victory. This was a lie and is the same tactic the Israelis used to draw us into the disastrous Iraq war that cost our nation the lives of thousands of our best men and women. We cannot make this same mistake again.”
Kent made similar claims during an interview with Tucker Carlson. He said some information provided by Israeli officials did not match U.S. intelligence.
President Donald Trump responded to Kent’s resignation by saying it was “a good thing.” He also called the former official “very weak on security.”
“I read his statement,” Trump said. “I always thought he was a nice guy, but I always thought he was weak on security, very weak on security. I didn’t know him well.”
The reports did not include details about what classified information Kent is accused of sharing. They also did not say whether any charges are being considered.