Joe Kent Israel

Joseph Clay Kent is an American Republican politician, former U.S. Army warrant officer, and ex-CIA paramilitary officer. He served as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center from 2025 to 2026 under Donald Trump and twice ran unsuccessfully for Congress in Washington’s 3rd district. A decorated Green Beret with eleven combat tours, Kent became an outspoken anti-interventionist after his first wife was killed in Syria. His career has been marked by ties to far-right figures, controversial statements, and a high-profile resignation over the Iran war, citing Israeli influence and lack of imminent threat.

Age: 46 years (Apr 11, 1980)

Spouses: Heather Kaiser (2023–), Shannon M. Kent (2014–2019)

Who is Joe Kent, and why did he resign as Trump’s counterterrorism ...

Who is Joe Kent, and why did he resign as Trump’s counterterrorism chief? Kent is the highest-level official to leave the Trump administration over the US president’s dec…

He served eleven combat tours before moving from the Army to a CIA paramilitary role

https://abcnews.com › Politics › resigned-trump-counterterror-adviser-joe-kent-israel...

Resigned Trump counterterror adviser Joe Kent says …

Joe Kent, the former director of the National Counterterrorism Center who resigned over his opposition to the Iran war, told Tucker Carlson that "Israel drove the decision" to strike Iran and rejected that there was an "imminent" threat to the United States.

Named by President Trump and confirmed by Senate in July

Defeats incumbent Jaime Herrera Beutler in open primary

Launches bid for Washington's 3rd district as Republican

Begins role after Army retirement, serving in special units