Federalbrief
Dec 13, 2025

MUST-SEE: GOP Senator Snaps, Destroys Reporter Over ‘Fishing Boat’ Comment: ‘The Drug Runners?’

Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) forcefully pushed back Tuesday after a reporter attempted to compare cartel-linked drug-running vessels to ordinary “fishing boats,” prompting a sharp exchange over U.S. enforcement actions at sea.

The back-and-forth, captured on video by Daily Caller News Foundation reporter Caden Olson, came as Democrats and media critics question recent U.S. actions against vessels tied to international drug trafficking.

The reporter asked whether nonviolent tactics used to seize an oil tanker should have been applied to boats targeted during anti-narcotics operations.

“If you can seize a tanker without killing anyone, shouldn’t that… If you can seize an oil tanker without killing anyone, shouldn’t that have been the way that these fishing boats were also stopped?” the reporter asked.

“Fishing boats? What is a fishing boat? The drug runners?” Schmitt responded.

“The drug runners,” the reporter said.

“Those aren’t fishing boats,” Schmitt replied.

The reporter attempted to continue, but Schmitt cut back in.

“Those aren’t fishing boats,” he repeated.

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