WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI is investigating whether Joe Kent, who resigned his position as a top counterterrorism official this week in protest of the Iran war, improperly shared classified information, a person familiar with the matter said Wednesday.
The investigation precedes Kent's resignation Tuesday from his role as director of the U.S. government's National Counterterrorism Center, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing FBI inquiry.
But it comes as the Justice Department has undertaken multiple investigations over the last year into political foes of President Donald Trump, including former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. Prosecutors have repeatedly struggled to make charges stick amid rejections from judges or to secure indictments in the first place.
Additional details about what the investigation, which was first reported by Semafor, is examining were not immediately available.
Kent disclosed his departure from the administration in a statement on X in which he cited his concerns about the justification for military strikes in Iran and said he “cannot in good conscience” back the war against Iran.
“Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby,” Kent wrote.
Trump later told reporters that he always thought Kent was “weak on security” and if someone in his administration did not believe Iran was a threat, “we don’t want those people.” Other Trump administration officials, including CIA Director John Ratcliffe, have since sought to distance themselves from Kent and his assessment.
A phone message was left Wednesday night for Kent, who previously ran unsuccessfully for Congress, with a former campaign manager.
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FILE - Joe Kent, Director of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center, speaks during a congressional debate at KATU studios Oct. 7, 2024, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Saddiq Bey scored 25 points, Trey Murphy added 23 and the New Orleans Pelicans overcame an early 18-point hole to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 124-109 on Wednesday night.
Dejounte Murray had 17 points and 11 assists, while Zion Williamson and rookie Derrick Queen each scored 14 for the Pelicans, who received a standing ovation as the final seconds wound down on their sixth straight victory at home and ninth win in their past 13 games overall
Kawhi Leonard scored 25 points and John Collins added 18 for the Clippers, who dropped a game below .500 (34-35), but maintained a tenuous hold on the No. 8 spot in the Western Conference standings, a half-game ahead of Portland.
Bey hit five of 10 3-point shots to help New Orleans go 16 of 37 (43.2%) from deep. The Pelicans also made 20 of 21 free throws, with Queen making all nine of his.
Pelicans rookie guard Jeremiah Fears chipped in 11 points off the bench.
Murphy made his 200th 3 of the season late in the third quarter to give New Orleans an 89-81 lead. His fourth make from deep made it 94-81 in the final minute of the period, which ended with New Orleans leading 96-85.
Murphy's double-clutch dunk over Brook Lopez to close out a fast break spawned by Herb Jones' steal gave New Orleans a 117-101 lead with 4:43 left, and the Pelicans led by as many as 20 in the final minutes.
New Orleans committed eight turnovers in the first nine minutes, and the Clippers converted those into nine points while building a 33-18 lead.
Leonard scored 12 of his points during that stint and the Clippers led by as many as 18 during the opening quarter before the Pelicans trimmed it to 40-26 on Murphy's free throws.
New Orleans came all the way back to tie it at 58 on Murphy's 3 late in the second quarter.
Leonard and Murphy traded baskets in the final 10 seconds before halftime, with Murphy tying it at 60 on a high, driving floater in traffic.
The Clippers and Pelicans face each other for a second straight game in New Orleans on Thursday night.
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Los Angeles Clippers forward John Collins (20) goes to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans guard Saddiq Bey in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Los Angeles Clippers guard Kris Dunn (8) drives to the basket on a fast break against New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones (2) in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
New Orleans Pelicans guard Saddiq Bey (41) congratulates forward Zion Williamson (1) after being fouled going to the basket in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Los Angeles Clippers forward John Collins (20) is stopped driving to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III (25) and center Yves Missi (21) in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
