Tucker Carlson has never exactly been known for avoiding controversy, but his latest claim may ignite one of the biggest fights yet between a media figure and the federal government. During a recent broadcast, Carlson revealed that he believes the CIA has been reading his private text messages and preparing a criminal referral against him.
According to Carlson, the potential accusation revolves around the Foreign Agents Registration Act, commonly known as FARA. The supposed issue centers on Carlson conducting interviews with figures in Iran before the recent war began.
Carlson addressed the situation directly on his show, explaining that he recently learned intelligence officials may be attempting to build a case claiming he acted as an agent of a foreign power.
“So the other day, I found out that the CIA is preparing some kind of criminal referral against me,” Carlson said. “What’s that crime? Well, talking to people in Iran before the war. They read my texts.”
Carlson insisted the accusation would be absurd if it ever reached court.
“I’m not an agent of a foreign power,” he said. “I have only one loyalty, and that’s the United States.”
When you discover the CIA has been reading your texts in order to frame you for a crime. pic.twitter.com/XgoluHw8EG
— Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) March 14, 2026
He also pointed out that interviewing foreign leaders and officials is a normal part of journalism, not evidence of foreign influence. Carlson noted that his job involves speaking with people across the globe in order to understand international events.
Whether the alleged referral actually exists remains unclear, but Carlson framed the issue as part of a broader problem that tends to emerge during wartime. Governments, he argued, often become more aggressive toward dissent when emotions are high and national security concerns dominate the conversation.
“Countries tend to become more authoritarian in wartime,” Carlson said. “There’s much less tolerance for any kind of dissent.”
Carlson also warned that intelligence agencies spying on American citizens is not some conspiracy theory but something that has been exposed repeatedly over the years. He referenced past revelations from figures like Julian Assange and Edward Snowden that exposed surveillance programs targeting Americans.
According to Carlson, this is not the first time he believes intelligence agencies accessed his communications. He recalled a 2021 incident while he was still at Fox News, when messages related to a potential interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin were reportedly obtained and leaked to media outlets.
Beyond the intelligence controversy, Carlson is also facing criticism from some conservative figures. Activist Laura Loomer has been accusing him for months of violating FARA and even claimed she personally reported him to law enforcement.
In social media posts, Loomer suggested Carlson could face prison if authorities determine he acted as a foreign agent. She even said she hopes her complaints to the FBI and Justice Department result in charges.
At this point, there is no public evidence that Carlson has been charged or that a formal case exists. Legal experts note that FARA prosecutions are rare and usually require proof that someone acted under the direction or control of a foreign government.
Still, Carlson’s allegation that intelligence agencies accessed his private messages raises serious questions. If true, it would add another chapter to the long-running debate over surveillance powers and the limits of government authority during times of conflict.
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