Former NCTC Director Kent Alleges FBI Director Patel Blocked Investigation of Foreign Angle in Kirk Assassination

Former National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent told The Daily Caller that FBI Director Kash Patel ordered investigators to halt further inquiry into potential foreign links in the September 2025 assassination of conservative figure Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University. Kent said his team identified leads warranting additional review but was directed to defer to Utah state authorities on what the FBI characterized as a slam-dunk case. A senior administration source disputed the account, stating cooperation between agencies was proceeding under DNI Gabbard's direction. Kent, who resigned March 17 over opposition to the Iran war, is himself under FBI investigation for allegedly leaking classified information.