Politics

President Trump nominates Joe Kent to become director of National Counter Terrorism Center

President Trump has nominated Joe Kent to lead the National Counter Terrorism Center, citing his extensive military and intelligence experience.

By · February 4, 2025
President Trump nominates Joe Kent to become director of National Counter Terrorism Center
President Trump has nominated Joe Kent to lead the National Counter Terrorism Center, citing his extensive military and intelligence experience.
President Trump has nominated Joe Kent to lead the National Counter Terrorism Center, citing his extensive military and intelligence experience.
President Trump has nominated Joe Kent to lead the National Counter Terrorism Center, citing his extensive military and intelligence experience. File photo

Kent says it will be an honor to serve the nation again

Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com

Joe Kent wanted to serve Southwest Washington in Congress.

Instead, he will be back to serving all Americans.

Joe Kent has been nominated to join President Trump’s team as the director of the National Counterterrorism Center.

“Thank you President Trump!,” Kent exclaimed on social media Monday night. “It’s an honor to serve our nation again.”

Kent added that it is time to keep the nation “safe and strong.”

Kent’s rise in politics came about after an honorable career in the U.S. Army and with the CIA. Kent topped incumbent Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler in the Republican primary prior to the 2022 general election. Kent lost that election to Marie Gluesenkamp Perez. 

Kent and Perez squared off again for Washington’s Congressional District 3 seat in 2024. Perez got the close victory, 51.9 percent to 48.1 percent.

On Monday, President Trump asked Kent to join his team.

“It is my pleasure to nominate Joe Kent as the Director of the National Counter Terrorism Center,” Trump wrote on social media. “As a Soldier, Green Beret, and CIA Officer, Joe has hunted down terrorists and criminals his entire adult life. 

“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. Joe continues to honor her legacy by staying in the fight.”

The president described some of Kent’s duties in the position.

“Joe will help us keep America safe by eradicating all terrorism, from the jihadists round the World, to the cartels in our backyard,” the president wrote.

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