Tucker Carlson has stirred up controversy by alleging that Republican Senator Tom Cotton has been working behind the scenes to prevent the full release of classified documents related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
Carlson made these claims during a discussion with journalist Chris Cuomo, stating that Cotton took steps to block a key intelligence appointment in the Trump administration in an effort to keep the files from becoming public.
Carlson’s Allegations
During his podcast, Carlson detailed an incident in which an unnamed member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI) reportedly intervened in a hiring decision.
According to Carlson, the lawmaker warned decision-makers not to hire a particular individual because they were likely to push for the declassification of the JFK files.
“At one point, there was someone under consideration for an intelligence position, and a senator told those making the decision, ‘You can’t hire this person because they will insist on the JFK files being released,'” Carlson claimed.
Pressed by Cuomo to name the senator involved, Carlson did not hesitate. “Tom Cotton of Arkansas did that,” he stated.
Cotton Pushes Back
Senator Cotton swiftly denied the accusation, taking to social media to refute Carlson’s claim.
“This is false. I have no problem with releasing the JFK files,” Cotton posted on X (formerly Twitter).
“Had Tucker Carlson asked me, I would’ve told him. He has texted me multiple times in recent weeks, so he knows how to reach me.”
When Cuomo questioned Carlson about why he hadn’t directly asked Cotton about his stance on the files, Carlson responded that he doubted the senator would agree to an interview.
The Mystery Behind the JFK Files
One lingering question remains: why would Cotton, born in 1977—more than a decade after Kennedy’s assassination—be interested in suppressing these documents?
Carlson did not provide a theory to explain the senator’s alleged motivation.
President Donald Trump previously ordered the release of thousands of classified documents related to the JFK assassination, fueling ongoing speculation about the events of November 22, 1963.
His directive instructed intelligence agencies and the attorney general to develop a plan for full disclosure.
However, federal agencies have continued to withhold some records, citing national security concerns.
The Ongoing Declassification Battle
Last month, the FBI announced the discovery of 2,400 additional records tied to Kennedy’s assassination, which are being processed for public release.
This development comes as part of federal efforts to comply with Trump’s order.
During his re-election campaign, Trump promised to release all remaining JFK-related files, a pledge similar to one he made in his first term.
However, he ultimately delayed full disclosure after receiving appeals from intelligence agencies, including the CIA and FBI, to keep some documents classified.
The Search for Answers
Since the 1990s, the federal government has required all JFK assassination-related documents to be stored at the National Archives.
While more than 5 million pages of records have been released, researchers estimate that roughly 3,000 files remain partially or fully classified.
Among the hidden records are reports on the surveillance of Lee Harvey Oswald, a file on a suspected Cuban hitman, and Kennedy’s rumored plans to dismantle the CIA—topics that have fueled speculation for decades.
The Enduring Conspiracy Theories
Kennedy was shot and killed in Dallas on November 22, 1963, while riding in a motorcade near the Texas School Book Depository.
Lee Harvey Oswald, a 24-year-old former Marine, was identified as the gunman, firing from the building’s sixth floor.
Two days later, Oswald himself was shot and killed by nightclub owner Jack Ruby.
The official Warren Commission report concluded that Oswald acted alone.
However, conspiracy theories have persisted, many centered on the possibility of a second gunman stationed on a grassy knoll at Dealey Plaza.
A congressional investigation in the 1970s even suggested there might have been another shooter but ultimately failed to provide conclusive proof.
With the controversy reignited by Carlson’s claims, the debate over what remains hidden in the JFK files continues.
Will the government finally reveal everything, or will secrecy persist for decades to come?