Joe Kent CONFIRMED as director of National Counterterrorism Center

Kent, a decorated combat veteran who served 11 deployments with Army Special Forces, will now lead an agency created in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks to coordinate intelligence and prevent future acts of terrorism. The center, based within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, employs more than 1,000 analysts and personnel. Kent will report directly to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, under whom he served as a top aide during the confirmation process.

Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) praised Kent on the Senate floor, citing his extensive military record and personal loss. “He has dedicated his career to fighting terrorism and keeping Americans safe,” Cotton said. “For Joe, this mission is both patriotic and sadly personal, as his first wife, Shannon, was tragically killed while serving in Syria in 2019.”

Shannon Kent, a Navy cryptologic technician, was killed in a suicide bombing carried out by the Islamic State in northeastern Syria.

Washington state’s Democratic Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell voted against the appointment, with Murray calling Kent a “conspiracy theorist who espouses white supremacist views.” Despite their opposition, Kent secured enough support from Senate Republicans and several moderate Democrats to be confirmed.

An Oregon native who grew up in Portland, Kent enlisted in the US Army at 18 and later earned a degree in strategic studies and defense analysis from Norwich University. Following his military service, Kent worked in national security roles and advised the Trump campaign on foreign affairs in 2020. He also ran for Congress twice.

Trump nominated Kent in February, writing on Truth Social at the time, “Joe has hunted down terrorists and criminals his entire adult life. Above all, Joe knows the terrible cost of terrorism, losing his wonderful wife, Shannon… Joe will help us keep America safe by eradicating all terrorism, from the jihadists around the world to the cartels in our backyard.”

Following the Senate vote, Kent posted on X, “It’s an honor to serve our nation again & to be back in the fight against terrorism. Thank you President Trump & DNI Gabbard for your confidence in my leadership. NCTC will relentlessly pursue & defeat our nation’s enemies. In honor of our fallen, we fight on.”