The National Counterterrorism Center is a U.S. intelligence agency under the ODNI responsible for coordinating national and international counterterrorism efforts. Known for integrating intelligence across agencies to assess and counter terrorist threats globally. Recently, the NCTC faced significant leadership turmoil and mass staff reductions under Trump administration directives. Last updated Jul 5th, 2026
Acting DNI Bill Pulte is firing staff at ODNI under orders from President Trump to downsize the agency. Hundreds of positions are expected to be cut, including roughly 400 at the National Counterterrorism Center. Remaining personnel will be returned to their home agencies. - NBC News
Former National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent wants to rally members of Donald Trump's MAGA movement and ensure the U.S. president hears dissenting voices about the Iran war, he tells the Washington Post.
Speaker Johnson on disgraced NCTC Director Joe Kent
“I'm not sure what Joe Kent is reading but it is not the same intel I’m seeing. We had briefings and the intel was exquisite. This was an imminent threat!”
“Joe Kent seemed to understand that until about 24 hours ago. I’m not sure what happened. But he is an outlier!”
“Everyone in the administration and everyone who sees the actual intelligence understands clearly that the president did what he had to do.”
Joe Kent, who yesterday served as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center in the Trump administration, is now claiming on Tucker Carlson’s show that Israel dictates U.S. policy in the Middle East and sets the terms.
Joe Kent, who resigned as the Director of the National Counterterrorism Center earlier today, is expected to record a live episode of The Tucker Carlson Show on Wednesday, where he will elaborate on his opposition to the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran, according to multiple outlets.
House Speaker Mike Johnson rebukes Joe Kent after his resignation over the Iran war, saying the former NCTC chief was not privy to key intelligence briefings.
“I'm on the Gang of Eight. I got all the briefings. We all understood there was ...
House Speaker Mike Johnson rebukes Joe Kent after his resignation over the Iran war, saying the former NCTC chief was not privy to key intelligence briefings.
“I'm on the Gang of Eight. I got all the briefings. We all understood there was clearly an imminent threat that Iran was very close to the enrichment of nuclear capability and they were building missiles at a pace that no one in the region could keep up with. The Commander-in-Chief and his administration had a very difficult decision to make. I don't know where Joe Kent is getting his information, but he wasn't in those briefings, clearly, because the Secretary of State, the Secretary of War, and everyone, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Caine, they had exquisite intelligence that we understood that this was a serious moment for us. Had the President waited, I am personally convinced that we would have mass casualties of Americans, servicemembers and others, and our installations would have been dramatically damaged.”
