Senator Cotton Discusses Tariffs and Security Failures on Fox News
During a recent appearance on “Fox News Sunday,” Senator Tom Cotton engaged with host Shannon Bream to delve into the complexities of tariffs while also reflecting on the one-year anniversary of the botched assassination attempt on President Trump in Butler, PA.
Bream highlighted significant lapses in security, noting, “They were aware of this threat days in advance but failed to communicate with state and local authorities. The Secret Service’s drone was non-functional while the assailant operated a working drone in the vicinity. Numerous requests for enhanced security were also disregarded.”
When Bream inquired about accountability in light of these revelations, Cotton responded, “President Trump is right in asserting that mistakes were made that day. Reports from both the Government Accountability Office and Senate investigations point to serious shortcomings in communication and resource allocation. Under the Biden administration, the Secret Service did not adequately respond to requests from the Trump campaign or from Sean Curran, who is now leading the agency.”
However, Cotton expressed optimism regarding ongoing reforms, stating, “As President Trump mentioned, the Secret Service is actively working to rectify these issues and ensure they are not repeated.”
The Role of Tariffs in Foreign Policy
The discussion then shifted to tariffs, with Bream noting that new tariffs are set to take effect on August 1 unless prior agreements are reached. “What is the Senate’s role in this matter?” she questioned.
Cotton clarified, “Historically, Congress has granted the President considerable latitude to negotiate tariffs, a practice that dates back over a century. It’s essential to recognize that these tariffs are not just economic tools; they are extensions of our foreign policy aimed at achieving vital national objectives.”
He cited an illustrative example: “Japan imposes a staggering 700 percent tariff on American rice. This creates an insurmountable barrier for Arkansas rice farmers eager to enter the Japanese market. President Trump is leveraging the threat of tariffs to negotiate better trade deals and expand market access.”
Furthermore, Cotton emphasized the national security implications of tariffs, particularly new tariffs on copper, akin to previous measures on steel and aluminum. “These materials are fundamental to our national security, and it is imperative that we bolster our domestic production capabilities,” he explained.
For a visual recap, see the clip below:
WATCH: @SenTomCotton on how tariffs can help U.S. farmers: “President Trump is using… the threat of tariffs in part to get better deals.” pic.twitter.com/awRMTN5zlD
— Fox News Sunday (@FoxNewsSunday) July 13, 2025
