Kent announced his resignation Tuesday, citing his opposition to the ongoing U.S. war with Iran, and his belief that Iran posed "no imminent threat" to America - while asserting in his resignation letter that his wife died in "a war manufactured by Israel" in a 2019 suicide bombing in Manjbi, Syria.
In this first public interview since resigning, Kent elaborated on his reasons amid reports emerging Wednesday that the FBI is investigating him for allegedly leaking or improperly sharing classified information (a probe that sources say predates his resignation and is being handled by the FBI's Criminal Division, per several outlets).
Early on in the interview, Carlson referenced Secretary of State Marco Rubio's justification for the strikes - that Iran posed an imminent threat because Israel was preparing to attack Iranian targets, likely prompting Iranian retaliation against U.S. forces. Carlson reframed it bluntly:
Did Joe Kent Leak Classified Intel To Tucker Carlson?
[Daily Wire] FBI could soon release damning docs.
Former intelligence official Joe Kent is suspected of leaking classified information to “disaffected MAGA media” personalities like former Fox News host Tucker Carlson — and FBI Director Kash Patel may be poised to declassify information regarding a probe into former intelligence official Joe Kent in an effort to prove that the investigation was not retaliation for his resignation.
A report published Thursday by NOTUS also stated that FBI Director Kash Patel was considering declassifying as much information as possible in order to show that the investigation into Kent was already underway when he announced his plan to leave the administration.
A law enforcement source told NOTUS that FBI counterintelligence had already begun a criminal investigation into Kent’s alleged actions long before he announced his resignation. An administration official told the outlet that Kent had “leaked classified information from a server to a member of the media.”
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Joe Kent 03/19/2026 Joe Kent's demarche
Joe Kent 03/18/2026 The head of the US counterterrorism center resigned over Iran
Joe Kent 03/17/2026 President Trump slams Joe Kent after resignation: Iran war live updates