The scandal over Joe Kent’s resignation over the war with Iran and an FBI probe, and the story of a passenger who stopped a Seattle bus after the driver suffered a medical episode.
FBI probe into Joe Kent: resignation over Iran war and Trump’s anger
A new scandal is growing in Washington political circles related to the resignation of a senior Trump administration official. It has emerged that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has opened an inquiry into Joe Kent, the former director of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), who recently resigned in protest over the war with Iran. The investigation, reported by Semafor, concerns possible leaks of classified intelligence and, according to sources, was launched before his high-profile resignation.
Joe Kent, a career counterterrorism specialist, became the first senior administration official to step down over the unleashed conflict. In his public resignation letter to President Donald Trump, he stated that Iran did not pose an imminent threat to the United States and that the decision to go to war was made under pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby. That statement immediately drew a sharp reaction from the White House, which began a campaign to discredit Kent, portraying him as unreliable and disloyal. Trump himself, always sensitive to the law-and-media sphere, quickly condemned the ex-official, saying it was good that he left if he believed Iran was not dangerous.
The situation intensified after Kent gave an interview to his close friend, popular conservative host Tucker Carlson. In the conversation, he on the one hand praised Trump’s past aggressive actions toward Iran, such as the killing of General Qasem Soleimani in 2020. On the other, he repeatedly asserted his thesis that there was no evidence of an imminent Iranian attack and that the United States had been drawn into the war by Israel. Kent urged the administration to forbid Israel from striking Iran and even threatened to halt air-defense system supplies if Israel did not comply. “The main problem is what the Israelis are doing. And he [Trump] needs — very toughly, and probably with a new team of diplomats — to go to the Israelis and say: ‘Enough,’” he said on air.
However, Joe Kent’s profile is not limited to criticism of foreign policy. He has long been associated with fringe theories. He has repeatedly made unsubstantiated claims, for example, suggesting possible FBI involvement in organizing the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot, and he dismissed assertions of Russian interference in the 2016 election, calling it a “Russian hoax.” In the interview with Carlson, the duo also promoted uncorroborated claims about possible Israeli involvement in the 2024 assassination attempt on Trump and the killing of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. These views have long allowed critics to accuse Kent of promoting antisemitic and anti-Israel sentiments.
The FBI investigation into him comes against a backdrop of longstanding accusations that the bureau and the Department of Justice under Trump frequently pursue critics and political opponents of the president without sufficient grounds for criminal prosecution. Thus, the Kent case sits at the intersection of several contentious issues: internal administration infighting, a deep Republican split over war and relations with Israel, and the use of law-enforcement institutions for political ends. His resignation and the subsequent probe highlight deep ideological fractures in Washington and raise uncomfortable questions about who decides matters of war and peace and how.
Passenger stopped bus after driver’s medical episode that caused multi-vehicle crash in Seattle
On Wednesday morning, a serious traffic collision involving a public bus occurred in north Seattle. The incident, detailed in a KOMO News report, could have had far worse consequences if not for the composure and decisiveness of one passenger.
According to preliminary information from transit agency King County Metro, Route 5 was traveling north on Greenwood Avenue. At about 11:18 a.m., Seattle police received reports of a crash involving a bus and multiple cars. Responding officers found that the crash’s effects stretched across five blocks — from North 80th to North 85th Street. The investigation showed the incident was caused by a sudden medical emergency suffered by the bus driver. In the critical moment, one passenger, noticing something was wrong with the driver, did not panic. He managed to take control: he applied the brakes and steered the bus off the roadway, thereby preventing a potential catastrophe. Despite his actions, before coming to a full stop near North 85th Street the bus struck about seven parked vehicles.
A medical emergency is a sudden deterioration in health, such as loss of consciousness, a heart attack, or a stroke, that can render a person unable to operate a vehicle. That is what happened to the driver in this case. The vigilance of the passenger, who apparently was close to the cab, proved decisive. After the bus stopped, the driver was taken to Swedish Cherry Hill medical center as a precaution. The heroic passenger, complaining of arm pain, was transported to Harborview Medical Center. A truck driver with a trailer from the Parks and Recreation Department, who was likely involved in the incident, was sent to Northwest Hospital for evaluation. The street was closed for an extended period due to the crash and the ensuing investigation, but traffic was later restored.
This incident highlights several important issues. First, it demonstrates how crucial readiness of ordinary people is to act in emergencies. The decisive actions of one person likely saved lives and prevented more extensive damage. Second, the incident raises questions about medical screening for public transit drivers, whose fitness affects the safety of dozens of passengers and other road users. Route 5, which begins at Shoreline Community College and runs through neighborhoods including Broadview, Bitter Lake, Greenwood, Woodland Park, Fremont, and downtown Seattle, is a key corridor in the city’s transit network. Its hours-long stoppage due to the crash inevitably caused significant disruption for many residents. Fortunately, thanks to the brave passenger, the incident resulted in no fatalities and was limited to property damage and temporary inconvenience.
Seattle bus: passenger averted disaster after driver’s medical episode
On Wednesday morning in the Greenwood neighborhood of north Seattle, an incident occurred that could have ended far more tragically if not for the calm of one passenger. A King County Metro bus driver lost consciousness at the wheel due to a sudden medical emergency, and the vehicle, out of control, struck several parked cars. An unknown hero managed to stop the bus.
According to a KING5.com report, the incident happened around 11:18 a.m. on Greenwood Avenue. The bus, reportedly traveling at high speed, hit at least seven vehicles over the span of five blocks before it could be stopped. Cynthia Garcia, who worked at a nearby store, witnessed the event. “I was sitting in the store and suddenly saw through the window that the bus was moving very fast. It all happened in an instant... I jumped up and screamed, ‘Oh my God!’ Everyone was in shock,” she said.
A passenger played a key role in preventing more serious consequences. Police say he noticed something was wrong with the driver and took control: he pressed the brakes and steered the bus off the roadway. That intervention likely saved lives. “When I immediately called [the services], given how fast it hit, I thought someone would be seriously injured. It was going very fast... I was just stunned and very grateful,” Garcia added.
Several people required medical attention. The bus driver was taken to Swedish Cherry Hill medical center. The passenger who took control was transported to Harborview as a precaution. Fire officials said four people received care: a 48-year-old man was evaluated but did not require treatment; a 29-year-old man received help for minor injuries but was not hospitalized; a 71-year-old man was taken to Swedish Cherry Hill in stable condition; and a 64-year-old injured person was taken to Harborview Medical Center in stable condition. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries.
The case raises questions about public transit safety and preparedness for emergencies. A sudden medical emergency by a driver is one of the most challenging scenarios because a vehicle with passengers can instantly become uncontrolled. The actions of the courageous passenger, who was able to act quickly under pressure, are an example of civic responsibility and composure. The incident also underscores the value of basic knowledge about how to stop public transit in an emergency, though such cases are thankfully rare. Authorities and transit agencies may want to consider additional measures, such as automatic braking systems or more frequent medical checks for drivers, especially when operating in dense urban areas like Greenwood.
