Trump-Appointed Special Forces Warrior Confirmed to Lead National Counterterrorism Center

The Senate voted 52-44 to confirm former Green Beret and CIA officer Joe Kent as the new Director of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), following his nomination by President Donald Trump earlier this year.

🚨 BREAKING – CONFIRMED: US Senate APPROVES Trump nominee Joe Kent as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, 52-44.

He’ll be working with DNI TULSI GABBARD. pic.twitter.com/asU3CuwwHI

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) July 30, 2025

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Kent, a retired Army Special Forces soldier with multiple combat deployments, accepted the appointment in a statement on X.

“It’s an honor to serve our nation again & to be back in the fight against terrorism,” Kent wrote.

He went on to thank President Trump and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard for their confidence in his leadership, adding that the NCTC would “relentlessly pursue & defeat our nation’s enemies.” He concluded the message with: “In honor of our fallen, we fight on.”

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. 🇺🇸 https://t.co/kLsKon3DzW

— Joe Kent (@joekent16jan19) July 31, 2025

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The confirmation vote passed largely along party lines, with Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) reported as the only Republican to vote against Kent’s confirmation, according to the Associated Press.

Democrats voiced strong opposition to Kent’s confirmation, citing past ties to far-right figures and groups.

During his 2022 congressional campaign, Kent paid Graham Jorgensen, a member of the Proud Boys, for consulting services.

He also worked with Joey Gibson, founder of the Christian nationalist group Patriot Prayer. Several individuals and groups affiliated with far-right politics expressed support for Kent during his run for office.

Despite these criticisms, the Trump administration defended the nomination, pointing to Kent’s extensive experience in national security and counterterrorism.

In a February statement posted to Truth Social, President Trump described Kent as having served the country as “a Soldier, Green Beret, and CIA Officer” with experience “hunting down terrorists and criminals.”

“Above all, Joe knows the terrible cost of terrorism, losing his wonderful wife, Shannon, a Great American Hero, who was killed in the fight against ISIS,” Trump wrote.

“Joe continues to honor her legacy by staying in the fight. Joe will help us keep America safe by eradicating all terrorism, from the jihadists around the World, to the cartels in our backyard.”

Kent’s wife, Shannon Kent, was one of four Americans killed in a suicide bombing in Manbij, Syria, on January 16, 2019.

The attack, claimed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, resulted in the deaths of Shannon Kent, Army Green Beret Jonathan Farmer, civilian intelligence officer Scott Wirtz, and Syrian-born interpreter Ghadir Taher.

According to the Foundation for Women Warriors, Shannon Kent was the first female U.S. service member killed by enemy fire in more than three years and the first American woman to die in combat operations against ISIS in Syria.

Kent’s confirmation places him at the helm of the NCTC, which operates under the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

The center is tasked with integrating and analyzing terrorism-related information collected from across the U.S. intelligence community and coordinating national efforts to prevent and respond to terrorist threats.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who also serves in President Trump’s Cabinet, praised Kent’s nomination earlier this year and emphasized his commitment to counterterrorism and national security.

Kent is expected to assume his position at the NCTC immediately, taking over operations during a time of continued concern over both international terrorism and domestic threats.