Joe Kent, who Resign from office The counterterrorism director concerned about war with Iran emerged on Tucker Carlson’s show Wednesday. There he expressed his thoughts, including recounting and Charlie KirkFounder of Turning Point USA.
Kirk played an important role in helping many people Donald Trump Several Republicans spoke at his memorial service about his administration after the Sept. 10, 2025, shooting at Utah Valley University. In fact, Kirk was instrumental in getting JD Vance to be Trump’s running mate.
Kent’s recollection of his last meeting with Kirk is significant given his influence in the Trump administration.
Joe Kent on meeting Charlie Kirk
“The last time I saw Charlie Kirk on Earth was in June, on The West Wing,” Kent said while speaking on Carlson’s show.
He added, “He looked me in the eye and said… Joe, stop us from going to war with Iran.”
Kent’s comments about Kirk’s alleged remarks come as the United States and Israel jointly attack Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The two countries are currently at war with Iran, which has claimed the lives of at least 13 US soldiers so far.
Trump has been criticized by many at home for the war and has also complained about rising gas prices as Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted energy prices around the world.
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In the interview, Kent continued, “One of President Trump’s closest advisers has publicly advocated that we not go to war with Iran and at least reconsider our relationship with the Israelis.”
He then turned to the subject of Kirk’s assassination. “And then suddenly he was publicly assassinated and we weren’t allowed to ask any questions about it? The investigation I was involved in [with] National Counterterrorism Center, we were prevented from continuing the investigation,” he said.
Kent added: “But there’s a lot more we need to investigate that I can’t really get into. There are some unanswered questions. We know that Charlie was under a lot of pressure from a lot of pro-Israel donors because of the text messages that were made public.” Candace Owens, a conservative podcaster who has long shared conspiracy theories about Kirk’s death, retweeted a clip of Kent’s interview.
Owens also pointed to foreign interference but offered no evidence. Authorities have arrested and are trying Utah native Tyler Robinson on murder charges in the Charlie Kirk assassination.
Meanwhile, President Trump said Kent was “weak” on security issues following his resignation.
