Senate Confirms Joe Kent as Counterterrorism Chief

The Senate confirmed Joe Kent as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center in a 52-44 vote, with all but one Republican supporting his nomination and Democrats strongly opposing it due to his ties to far-right groups and conspiracy theories about the January 6 Capitol riot. Kent, a former Green Beret and CIA officer whose wife was killed by ISIS in Syria, has pledged to prioritize targeting Latin American gangs and criminal groups linked to migration. Critics, including Democratic senators, expressed concerns about his associations with extremist figures, alleged efforts to pressure intelligence analysts to alter reports, and his promotion of unsubstantiated claims about the 2020 election and FBI involvement in January 6. Supporters emphasized his extensive military and intelligence experience, as well as his personal loss to terrorism. His confirmation continues a Trump administration trend of appointing failed Republican candidates and loyalists to national security roles. The decision highlights deep partisan divides over the leadership and politicization of intelligence agencies.