In a dramatic turn of events, efforts to uncover a potential foreign connection in Charlie Kirk’s assassination have sparked tension within the upper echelons of U.S. security agencies. FBI Director Kash Patel has expressed significant concern over the actions of Joe Kent, the head of the National Counterterrorism Center. Kent’s initiative to delve into FBI files in search of any foreign involvement in the case has been seen by Patel as an overreach, potentially interfering with the ongoing FBI investigation, as reported by the New York Times.

The tragic incident occurred on September 10 at Utah Valley University, where Kirk was fatally shot with a high-powered sniper rifle while addressing college students. The alleged shooter, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, has been charged with murder and may face the death penalty if convicted. Despite the gravity of the situation, Kent’s supporters argue that his actions were part of his duty to ensure all possible leads, including foreign interference, were thoroughly explored.

Upon discovering Kent’s access to sensitive FBI materials, a highly charged meeting was convened at the White House. Attendees included Vice President JD Vance, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wilies, senior DOJ officials, and Tulsi Gabbard, whose close advisor Kent had been. During this meeting, Kent maintained that his access to the files was facilitated by a junior FBI official. Nevertheless, the discussions were reportedly so fraught with tension that little progress was made, as noted by the Times.

The FBI and DOJ have traditionally tightly regulated evidence in active criminal investigations and prosecutions. Under the direction of Kent, the Counterterrorism Center collected material from other intelligence agencies regarding potential foreign ties to Robinson, as well as evaluated any potential foreign funding from individuals associated with left-wing groups, such as antifa. 

There have been longstanding issues regarding jurisdiction between Gabbard’s office and the FBI. It is not clear if the FBI or the Counterterrorism Center is still investigating whether a foreign power assisted in the murder of Charlie Kirk. The Daily Mail reached out to Kent and the FBI for comment. ‘The FBI and intelligence community under the direction of President Trump will leave no stone unturned in the investigation of the assassination of our friend, Charlie Kirk,’ said Patel and Gabbard in a joint statement to the Times.

Kent was confirmed to lead the Counterterrorism Center back in July, where he has since focused on disrupting narco-terrorist cells and cartels. Before joining the Trump administration, Kent unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 2022 and 2024 in Washington, auctioning himself as a MAGA loyalist. The former CIA employee and Green Beret veteran is known for his non-interventionist foreign policy views.