GOP Senator Tom Cotton Refutes Carlson’s Allegation of ‘Sabotaging’ JFK Files Release – One America News Network
OAN Staff Blake Wolf
1:45 PM – Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) has rebutted recent accusations from conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, who alleged that Cotton attempted to prevent the release of information related to the assassination of former Democratic President John F. Kennedy.
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Carlson’s remarks were made during a discussion with NewsNation host Chris Cuomo, revolving around the topic of JFK assassination documents.
The now-famous video began with Carlson questioning Cuomo: “Why have these [files] been kept secret for so long?”
In reply, Cuomo suggested that the files remain unreleased because “institutions protect themselves.”
“The concept of the deep state strikes me as more of a convenience than an actual reality. It acts as a boogeyman. So why don’t they just release it?” Cuomo added.
“There’s clearly information in those files that would reflect poorly on the CIA,” he continued.
Carlson then detailed an incident from January, stating: “There was an individual being considered for a position in the intelligence community, and a member of the SSCI, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, informed the decision-makers that ‘you cannot hire this person because they would definitely advocate for the release of the JFK files.’”
“This is in 2025, less than two months ago, and we have a sitting member of the United States Senate whose main focus is to keep those files hidden. You have to wonder, what does that signify?”
Cuomo: “And where is your ally Kash Patel? He was supposed to take care of this?”
Carlson: “I can’t respond to that.”
Cuomo: “He made some vague tweets suggesting ‘things will change’ and we’ll address these issues AFTER we discover that someone under his oversight now… Why wasn’t he proactive and said ‘give me the files?’”
Carlson: “Didn’t you just assert that the deep state isn’t real?” *chuckles*
Cuomo: “Then why not expose that person?” referring to Carlson’s prior assertion about someone on the intel committee trying to withhold the files.
Carlson: “Tom Cotton from Arkansas did just that,” he replied with a sigh.
TUCKER: “Someone was being discussed for a job in the intel world. A member of the Senate Intel Committee … said you cannot hire this person because this person will … push for the release of the JFK files”
CUOMO: “So why don't you expose that person?”
TUCKER: “Tom Cotton” pic.twitter.com/cgxHTuwMeB
— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) March 11, 2025
Cotton’s office quickly responded to the allegation on Tuesday, firmly rejecting Carlson’s claim.
“This is entirely fabricated. Senator Cotton does not oppose the release of the JFK files and has no role in how the Executive Branch discloses documents,” a spokesperson for Cotton stated.
Cotton also addressed the issue on X, asserting that Carlson’s assertion is unequivocally “false.”
“I am completely fine with releasing the ‘JFK files.’ If @tuckercarlson had inquired, I would’ve informed him. He has texted me multiple times in recent weeks, so he knows how to contact me,” Cotton expressed.
“I would have clarified that I’ve never discussed the files with President Trump, his associates, or any officials in his administration, nor have I ever opposed the recruitment of any individual due to the files. I trust that Tulsi Gabbard, John Ratcliffe, Pam Bondi, Kash Patel, and other officials will appropriately release the files as directed by President Trump,” he added.
In January, President Trump signed an executive order directing the unsealing of redacted government documents related to the assassinations of JFK, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy.
Furthermore, Carlson’s allegations come on the heels of Texas GOP Congressman Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) being overheard on a hot mic last month, appearing to threaten to “kill” Carlson.
When asked about Carlson, Crenshaw described him as “the worst person,” adding: “We’ve exchanged much dialogue on Twitter. If I ever see him, I’m going to f…ing kill him.”
This clip of Crenshaw apparently threatening Carlson went viral, prompting a response from Carlson: “Why don’t you come sit down for an interview and we’ll see how you fare? I’ll send you my address.”
After facing significant backlash from conservatives, Crenshaw spoke with FOX 26 political correspondent Greg Groogan regarding the incident.
Crenshaw: “It’s somewhat surprising that two serious individuals like us, tackling serious matters and issues, need to address this. However, here we are. Upon viewing that video myself after witnessing the online outrage, I must say, that’s the lamest ‘death threat’ I have ever seen. It’s clear that was a non-literal expression. Anyone observing honestly knows that was hyperbole, expressed in confidence, and no, Tucker has nothing to worry about. I have absolutely no intent to harm him.
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