Former National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) Director Joe Kent leveled explosive allegations on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, claiming his agency was "blocked" from pursuing leads in the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.
Speaking with Tucker Carlson just one day after his high-profile resignation from the Trump administration, Kent suggested that a "foreign nexus" in the killing remains unexamined.
He revealed that during their final meeting in the West Wing in June 2025, Kirk’s final plea to him was a chilling directive: "Joe, stop us from getting into a war with Iran."
The assassination took place on September 10, 2025, during an "American Comeback Tour" event at Utah Valley University, where Kirk was fatally shot in the neck.
While Utah authorities have arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, labeling him a "lone wolf" and seeking the death penalty, Kent argues that the NCTC identified "linkage" and "unanswered questions" that federal superiors ordered his team to abandon.
Kent claimed the FBI instructed them to "stop" and defer entirely to state authorities, characterizing the case as a "slam dunk" despite what he described as credible evidence of foreign intervention.
Kent’s testimony adds a layer of conspiracy to the ongoing conflict with Iran, which he believes was manufactured by the same "pro-Israel donors" who were reportedly putting "immense pressure" on Kirk before his death.
The former director, who is currently under FBI investigation for an alleged classified leak, suggested that Kirk’s public stance against a Middle Eastern war may have made him a target.
"One of President Trump’s closest advisors was vocally advocating for us to not go to war with Iran," Kent told Carlson, "and then he’s suddenly publicly assassinated and we’re not allowed to ask any questions about that?"
The fallout from Kent’s claims has further divided the Republican base, with some figures like Candace Owens amplifying theories of a "foreign hit," while others, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, have condemned Kent's rhetoric as "virulent antisemitism."
As the trial for Tyler Robinson approaches in April, the intersection of Kirk’s death, the ongoing war, and Kent’s resignation has created a political firestorm that the White House has yet to fully address beyond dismissing Kent as "weak on security."