Joe Kent Appointed Director of National Counterterrorism Center by DNI Tulsi Gabbard

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced Thursday that former CIA paramilitary officer and MAGA-aligned Army veteran Joe Kent has been appointed Director of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC). In this role, Kent will lead U.S. efforts to prevent and disrupt terrorism threats, working alongside federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies.

Gabbard shared a photo of Kent’s swearing-in at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, praising his two decades of service and 11 combat deployments. “His experience… has given him a deep, practical understanding of the threats we face,” she said.

Kent, 45, served as an Army Ranger before joining the CIA. He entered politics following the 2019 death of his wife, Shannon Kent, in a suicide bombing in Syria. In 2022, he narrowly lost a congressional race in Washington state. His appointment to the NCTC required and received Senate confirmation earlier this month.

In a statement, Kent said, “It’s a profound honor… I’ve spent over two decades on the front lines… Their sacrifices drive me to lead with relentless focus to keep Americans safe.” Gabbard emphasized that Kent would help fulfill President Trump’s border security mandate, focusing on counterterrorism and counternarcotics coordination.

Gabbard also recently declassified documents suggesting the Obama administration ignored early intelligence reports downplaying Russian interference in the 2016 election. She accused then-DNI James Clapper of producing a politically driven assessment that was leaked to media to damage Trump’s presidency.