Meet the Press Dec. 7 — Sen. Tom Cotton, Sen. Adam Schiff and Rep. Jim Clyburn
9 snips
Dec 7, 2025 
Senator Tom Cotton, a Republican from Arkansas, defends recent military strikes on drug boats, advocating for their legality based on intelligence. In contrast, California's Adam Schiff argues the strikes are unconstitutional and calls for greater transparency. Meanwhile, Rep. Jim Clyburn raises concerns about a Supreme Court ruling affecting Texas voting rights, linking it to historical disenfranchisement. The podcast delves into the intricacies of military actions, legal accountability, and the political implications for upcoming elections.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
High-Confidence Intelligence Justifies Strikes
- Senator Tom Cotton argues strikes on drug boats are lawful because intelligence gave "high confidence" everyone onboard were narcotics traffickers.
- He says destroying these boats reduces drug flows and is more effective than interdiction at sea.
Observed State Determines Targeting Legality
- Cotton stresses the law of war forbids firing on the shipwrecked but contends the survivors were not incapacitated.
- He emphasizes observable behavior (standing on capsized boat) as key to targeting decisions.
Weigh Transparency Against Operational Risks
- Senator Tom Cotton says the Pentagon should weigh declassification risks before publishing operational video.
- He recommends trusting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his team to decide what to release.
