Some Trump loyalists worry prosecuting Joe Kent will further expose Iran war tensions

Published March 22, 2026 6:30am ET



The FBI’s investigation into former counterterrorism chief Joe Kent is sparking concern inside Trumpworld that a potential prosecution could elevate an internal critic of the administration’s Iran war and expose fractures the White House has tried to keep contained.

Kent, a combat veteran who ran two losing congressional campaigns before joining the Trump administration, resigned as National Counterterrorism Center director Wednesday. The exit was over his objection to the war in Iran.

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