Gabbard did not know about the FBI’s investigation into Joe Kent before resigning, the official said
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Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard did not know that former National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent was under FBI investigation for allegedly leaking classified information before he resigned, an intelligence official told Fox News Digital on Thursday.
Kent stepped down on Tuesday after publicly parting ways with President Donald Trump over the Iran war, writing in his resignation letter that Tehran “poses no imminent threat” to the United States.
Two sources briefed on the matter told Fox News that the FBI’s investigation into Kent had been ongoing for weeks before he left.
FBI leak investigations are often kept tight-lipped in the early stages to avoid commenting on the subject. But the fact that the investigation into Kent had been ongoing for weeks before he resigned – and that the director of national intelligence was unaware of it – raises questions about why the top intelligence official was not informed.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard did not know that former National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent was under FBI investigation for alleged leaks of classified information before he resigned, a senior intelligence official told Fox News Digital. (AP)
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The lack of information raises questions about how decisions about Kent’s access to sensitive information were handled in the weeks leading up to his resignation, as administration officials say he was cut out of planning meetings related to the current operation in Iran, known as Operation Epic Fury, and the president’s daily briefings.
One senior administration official described Kent as a “known leaker” and said Gabbard was asked to fire Kent and did not.
Another official said the White House complained to Gabbard about Kent, but did not ask her to fire him.
An official at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) said the president never asked Gabbard to fire Kent, otherwise he would have done so.
Joe Kent stepped down on Tuesday after publicly breaking with President Donald Trump over the Iran war, writing in his resignation letter that Tehran poses “no imminent threat” to the United States. (Joe Kent Campaign)
As director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Joe Kent often oversaw the collection and analysis of intelligence related to terrorist threats, a role that often involved access to some of the government’s most sensitive information. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
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As director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Kent often oversaw the compilation and analysis of intelligence related to terrorist threats, a role that often involved access to some of the most sensitive government information.
During a series of recent congressional hearings, Gabbard has been pressed on Kent’s claims.
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In a recent interview with Rep. Elise Stefanik, RN.Y., Gabbard was asked if she agreed with Kent’s resignation statement after Stefanik read parts of it aloud. “He said a lot of things in that letter,” Gabbard responded, adding that the president “makes decisions based on the information he has.”
When pressed on whether Kent’s comments bothered him, he gave a one-word answer: “Yes.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to Gabbard, Kent and the FBI for comment.
David Spunt of Fox News contributed to this report.
