The FBI is investigating whether Joe Kent, who resigned from the post of senior anti-terrorism official this week in protest of the war with Iran, shared confidential information improperly.
A knowledgeable source spoke on condition of anonymity to the Associated Press that the investigation preceded Kent’s resignation from the position of director of the National Counterterrorism Center of the U.S. government, which occurred on Tuesday, the 17th.
This comes at a time when the Department of Justice has conducted several investigations over the past year into political opponents of President Donald Trump, including former FBI director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Prosecutors have faced difficulties sustaining charges, amid judges’ refusals, or even for obtaining indictments.
No immediate details were released about what is being examined in the investigation.
Kent announced his departure from the government in a statement released on X, in which he cited concerns about the justification for the military strikes against Iran and stated that “he could not, in good conscience,” support that war.
“Iran did not pose any imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby,” Kent wrote.
Later, Trump told reporters that he had always found Kent “weak on security” and that if anyone in his administration did not believe Iran posed a threat, “we do not want those people.” Other Trump administration officials, including CIA director John Ratcliffe, sought to distance themselves from Kent and his assessment.
With information from the Associated Press.
