Tucker Carlson Claims GOP Senator Blocked JFK Files Release

Classified documents with "Top Secret" stamps on wooden surface.

Tucker Carlson accuses GOP Senator Tom Cotton of blocking the release of JFK assassination files, raising questions about the government’s transparency and the true power dynamics behind classified information.

Key Takeaways

Tucker Carlson claimed during a podcast with Chris Cuomo that Republican Senator Tom Cotton blocked a key employment decision to prevent JFK assassination files from becoming public.
The FBI recently discovered 2,400 previously undisclosed records related to the JFK assassination that are now being transferred to the National Archives for declassification.
President Trump signed an executive order to declassify documents related to the assassinations of JFK, RFK, and MLK Jr., but did not include Jeffrey Epstein files despite previous hints.
Republican senators, including John Kennedy, Ted Cruz, and Steve Daines, have expressed support for releasing the Epstein documents regardless of who might be named in them.
Despite the Warren Commission’s conclusion that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, the assassination continues to fuel conspiracy theories as thousands of documents remain partially redacted.

Intelligence Committee Conflict Revealed

In a surprising revelation during his appearance on Chris Cuomo’s show, Tucker Carlson directly accused Republican Senator Tom Cotton of obstructing the release of JFK assassination files. Carlson alleged that Cotton used his position on the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence to block a critical employment decision that would have facilitated the release of these historical documents. This accusation has reignited public interest in not only the JFK files but also other classified information, including documents related to Jeffrey Epstein.

The timing of Carlson’s allegations comes as the FBI announced the discovery of 2,400 new records related to President Kennedy’s assassination. These previously undisclosed documents are now being transferred to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) for proper declassification and public release, potentially adding new information to the over 5 million pages of assassination-related documents already in the collection.

Trump’s Executive Order on Classified Files

President Trump recently signed an executive order directing the declassification of documents related to the assassinations of JFK, RFK, and MLK Jr. This action follows his campaign promises to bring transparency to these historical events. The order directs the national intelligence director and attorney general to submit a plan for releasing these classified records, potentially resolving a decades-long quest for full disclosure that was supposed to have been completed by 2017 under the JFK Records Act.

“It shows that the FBI is serious about being transparent,” said Jefferson Morley of the Mary Ferrell Foundation, describing the FBI’s recent actions as “refreshingly candid.”

The role of the FBI’s Central Records Complex, which opened in 2020, has been pivotal in locating these previously undisclosed documents. This development raises questions about other intelligence agencies’ archives and what other information might still be hidden from public view. Despite progress in releasing documents, approximately 3,000 files remain either fully classified or heavily redacted, fueling ongoing speculation and conspiracy theories.

Republican Senators Push for Epstein Files

While Trump’s executive order addresses several high-profile assassinations, it notably omits documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, despite Trump’s campaign trail suggestions that he would release this information if elected. This omission has prompted several Republican senators to publicly call for the Epstein files to be declassified as well, regardless of who might be implicated in them, including potentially Trump himself, who had social connections with Epstein before distancing himself following Epstein’s 2019 arrest.

“I don’t care if he’s named in them. The American people are entitled to know the truth. The man’s dead as Jimmy Hoffa ― he’s gone ― and his sidekick’s in jail. We’re entitled to know what he did, who he did it with and whether he broke any laws,” stated Senator John Kennedy (R-La.).

Senators Ted Cruz and Steve Daines have also voiced support for releasing the Epstein documents. Their advocacy highlights a growing bipartisan interest in government transparency regarding high-profile cases that have captured public attention and generated widespread speculation. The Epstein case, with its connections to powerful individuals across political and social spheres, remains a subject of intense public curiosity.

Ongoing Questions About Historical Transparency

The FBI’s discovery of previously unknown JFK assassination records has raised significant questions about record-keeping and transparency in federal agencies. Gerald Posner, author of “Case Closed,” noted the concerning implications of finding new documents after decades of supposed comprehensive searches. “If they are really new assassination documents, then it raises a whole bunch of questions about how they were missed for all of these years,” Posner stated.

Historical experts continue to analyze previously released documents that detail intelligence operations and Lee Harvey Oswald’s activities before the assassination, including his visits to Soviet and Cuban embassies. The CIA’s surveillance of Oswald has become a significant focus in recent years, with researchers hoping the newly discovered files might contain additional information clarifying intelligence agencies’ knowledge of Oswald prior to November 22, 1963.