In a startling claim, Tucker Carlson, a prominent conservative commentator, has accused Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas of attempting to influence hiring decisions within the U.S. Intelligence Committee to prevent the release of classified records about President John F. Kennedy's assassination.
The Daily Caller reported that Carlson detailed an alleged January 2025 incident where Cotton intervened to stop a pro-transparency hire, relating to ongoing concerns over the JFK and Jeffrey Epstein files.
The conversation unfolded on a NewsNation podcast hosted by Chris Cuomo, focusing on the swell of job appointments following President Donald Trump’s re-election.
Carlson, citing his inside sources, voiced concerns over political interference aimed at keeping certain historical records confidential.
Tucker Carlson pinpointed a specific incident involving a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, supposedly Senator Tom Cotton, who allegedly influenced hiring decisions to keep JFK assassination records secret.
In January 2025, amidst these allegations, President Trump ordered the Director of National Intelligence to outline plans for the release of the JFK documents by February 7, 2025. Shortly after, on February 11, the FBI revealed approximately 2,400 new documents related to Kennedy's assassination, promising new insights into the historic event.
Meanwhile, the discussion also touched upon the recently released "Phase One" of the Epstein files, which left many commentators and the public wanting in terms of comprehensiveness and depth.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, on March 3, announced ongoing comprehensive examinations of both the JFK and Epstein files, indicating a future full release.
Carlson used his platform to question the motives behind allegedly keeping certain transparency advocates out of key intelligence roles.
A spokesperson for Senator Tom Cotton strongly denied the accusations detailed by Carlson, stating that Cotton has never had conversations with President Trump or any administration officials regarding the JFK files.
Furthermore, the spokesperson clarified that Senator Cotton did not object to any appointments based on their potential influence over the release of such files.
The defense noted that Senator Cotton had complete faith in officials like Tulsi Gabbard, John Ratcliffe, and Kash Patel to handle the release of the documents as per President Trump’s directive. They emphasized that no objections were made against releasing the JFK files.
Tensions between the Carlson and Cotton camps appear to stem from broader issues of government transparency and the handling of classified files, with Carlson suggesting that aim to protect the CIA’s secrets overrode public interest in government transparency.
The allegations have stirred significant public and media discourse, reflective of prevalent anxieties about government secrecy and the integrity of public officials' commitment to transparency. The historical significance of the JFK files, coupled with the ongoing intrigue surrounding the Epstein case, underscores the broader implications of these allegations.
Carlson's remarks underscore a deep-seated skepticism about the federal government's willingness to disclose uncomfortable truths from its past.
Cuomo pushed Carlson on why he hadn’t directly confirmed the details about Cotton’s role from higher authorities, highlighting a rift in investigative perspectives within conservative media circles.
As the government prepares for further disclosures, the focus will likely shift toward the newly announced plans for a complete examination of files related to both JFK and Jeffrey Epstein. Legal, historical, and political analysts alike await these developments, which promise to illuminate dark corners of recent American history.