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Departed counterterrorism official who resigned over Iran war denies leaking classified documents

Joe Kent, the former counterterrorism director who in protest of the , on Friday denied allegations that he improperly shared classified information.

The Associated Press reported that the whether Kent leaked such information, citing someone familiar with the matter. The person said the investigation preceded his resignation on Tuesday. No additional details were available.

鈥淎s for the leak allegations, I鈥檓 not concerned because I know I did nothing wrong,鈥 Kent said on SiriusXM鈥檚 鈥淭he Megyn Kelly Show.鈥 He suggested he was targeted because he spoke out.

鈥淚 am concerned because we鈥檝e all seen the FBI and the full weight of the government come down on individuals who speak out,鈥 Kent said.

The Justice Department has undertaken several probes into perceived political foes of President Donald Trump, including former FBI Director James Comey, although prosecutors have struggled to make charges stick.

Kent, the director of the U.S. government鈥檚 National Counterterrorism Center, stepped down Tuesday saying he 鈥渃annot in good conscience鈥 support the Trump administration鈥檚 war in Iran.

鈥淚ran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to and its powerful American lobby,鈥 Kent wrote on X.

Trump later told reporters that he always thought Kent was 鈥渨eak on security鈥 and if someone in his administration did not believe Iran was a threat, 鈥渨e don鈥檛 want those people.鈥 Other Trump administration officials, including CIA Director John Ratcliffe, have since sought to distance themselves from Kent and his assessment.

Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.

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