Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) firmly denied recent accusations made by conservative pundit Tucker Carlson, who claimed Cotton attempted to obstruct the release of sensitive government information related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
During his podcast on March 10, 2025, Carlson alleged Cotton worked to prevent President Trump's Cabinet nominee from being confirmed because the nominee was believed to support the release of JFK assassination files. "Tom Cotton of Arkansas did [try to block the nominee]," Carlson stated during his conversation with Chris Cuomo, host of NewsNation.
On March 11, Cotton's office issued a statement asserting, "This is completely made up; Senator Cotton does not oppose releasing the JFK files, and he doesn’t have any involvement in how the Executive Branch releases documents." The Republican senator took to social media to respond to Carlson's claims, indicating, "If Tucker Carlson had asked me directly, I would have clarified my views on the JFK files."
Cotton emphasized his unspoken relationship with Trump, declaring, "I’ve never spoken to President Trump or his associates or administration officials about the files. I have complete faith...that Tulsi Gabbard, John Ratcliffe, Pam Bondi, Kash Patel, and other officials will release the files as appropriate, following President Trump’s directive."
President Trump signed the executive order directing the release of federal government documents related to not only Kennedy's assassination but also those of former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. This directive came to light just two months ago, prompting federal agencies to expedite the declassification of records linked to these historic events.
Interestingly, Cotton's remarks dismissed the gravity of Carlson's speculation. "This is false. I have no problem releasing the JFK files," he stated on X, also mentioning Carlson's attempts to reach out to him recently. Carlson faced pressure to identify which senator allegedly stymied the intelligence hire, to which he responded: "You have to ask yourself, 'What is this?'"
He continued, "If you’re telling me six weeks ago, a member of the United States Senate was trying to keep someone out of a job to keep these files secret, I don’t believe it for a second." Carlson did not provide any rationale as to why Cotton would be motivated to block the release of documents relating to Kennedy's assassination.
Reflecting on the historical backdrop, Kennedy’s assassination took place on November 22, 1963, as he was struck by gunfire from Lee Harvey Oswald, who himself was killed just two days later. The assassination has long been the subject of various conspiracy theories, many of which allege the existence of additional gunmen.
This recent dispute emerged against the backdrop of federal efforts to conclude research on the assassination. The government mandated, back in the early 1990s, for all documents related to the event to be housed together at the National Archives. Despite the release of more than 5 million pages of records, researchers estimate approximately 3,000 files remain classified and have yet to enter the public domain.
Last month, the FBI announced the discovery of 2,400 new records tied to the JFK investigation, indicating continued mobilization within federal agencies to comply with the new directive. These documents will eventually be transferred to the National Archives, heightening intrigue about their contents.
President Trump's pledge during his reelection campaign to release the remainder of these classified files has added another layer of complexity to the political discourse surrounding the assassination. The former president echoed similar promises during his initial term, yet faced significant resistance from the CIA and FBI, which requested the withholding of certain materials.
Many researchers and history enthusiasts are eager to gain access to these files, which may contain sensitive information ranging from the CIA's operations to details on individuals involved directly with Oswald. The fervent interest reflects public curiosity not only about the events of 1963 but also current efforts to curate and disclose historical records.
With Cotton firmly refuting Carlson's claims and asserting his commitment to transparency, the future release of the files remains uncertain. The growing debate showcases not only the tension within political circles but also the power of media narratives to shape public perception.
It's clear from the responses and counterclaims issued by both parties involved you can see the charged atmosphere enveloping discussions on JFK and who controls the narrative surrounding it. Will the full story of Kennedy's assassination finally come to light, or will uncertainties continue the legacy of questions surrounding his untimely death?