Behind-the-Scenes of Trump Administration Ahead of Iran War, and Potential FBI Leak Investigation, with Joe Kent | Ep.1277

March 20, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

Joe Kent, a decorated Army Special Forces veteran with 20 years of service, 11 combat deployments, and six Bronze Stars, resigned as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) in protest of the U.S. war in Iran. In his first interview since, he details to Megyn Kelly his path to the Trump administration, the mechanisms he sees driving the conflict, and why he believes it serves no vital U.S. interest—despite facing accusations of weakness, anti-Semitism, and leaking.

Kent's Background and Path to Resignation

Kent joined the Army in 1998 as an infantryman, becoming a Ranger and Green Beret during Special Forces selection on 9/11. He fought extensively in Iraq (Baghdad, Mosul, Fallujah, Tal Afar), Yemen, and Syria as a CIA paramilitary officer. His wife, Shannon, died in 2019 from an ISIS suicide bombing in Syria shortly after Trump ordered a troop withdrawal that bureaucrats delayed. Kent met Trump privately at Dover Air Force Base during her remains' return, urging him to follow his instincts against endless wars—a moment that began his advisory role.

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What you'll learn

1 (00:00) **Intro and Kent's Resignation Context** - Megyn Kelly introduces Joe Kent's role as NCTC director, resignation over Iran war, Trump's criticism, and potential FBI leak probe
2 (07:09) **Denial of Leak Allegations** - Kent dismisses FBI leak investigation claims as media intimidation tactic, no prior notice or classified info leaked
3 (08:46) **Worth the Personal Risk** - Kent affirms resignation was necessary despite attacks from Trump, Graham, McConnell, and risks to his boys
4 (16:47) **Relationship with Kash Patel** - Kent describes professional friction but good working ties with FBI director Patel due to NCTC oversight role post-9/11
5 (18:11) **Path to Trump Support** - Kent recounts 2016 Jeb Bush debate moment calling Iraq war mistake as turning point from Ron Paul supporter
6 (21:31) **Wife's Death in Syria** - Details Shannon's 2019 ISIS killing amid bureaucratic delays thwarting Trump's Syria withdrawal
7 (24:15) **Pre-War Concerns in Trump Admin** - Saw advisors/media create "bubble" pushing zero enrichment red line, predicting regime change push post-strikes

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Show Notes

Megyn Kelly is joined by Joe Kent, former Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, to speak out for the first time about the reports he's being investigated by the FBI for leaking to the media during his time in the Trump administration, whether he leaked info about Mark Levin to Tucker Carlson, the allegation he leaked about Charlie Kirk to Candace Owens, and more. They also discuss what really happened behind-the-scenes in the Trump administration in the weeks leading up to the Iran war, the influence of neocons and foreign officials in Trump's decision-making, critiques about him speaking out against the president during a war, how VP JD Vance and DNI Tulsi Gabbard fit with Trump’s current Iran policy, Kent's interactions with Vance, Gabbard, and Trump the night before his resignation letter, whether he was frozen out of meetings with President Trump and other top officials, why Kent believes there’s much more to investigate related to the Charlie Kirk assassination, why the FBI could take the lead on the potential "transtifa" connection, whether foreign actors were involved in any way, what drew him to President Trump during the 2016 GOP primary, why his past foreign policy “moral clarity” on Iraq and Middle East was so appealing, Kent's lengthy military service, and more.

More from Kent - https://x.com/joekent16jan19

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