Sen. Schmitt Destroys Reporter Who Refers to Drug-Running Vessels as ‘Fishing Boats’ [WATCH]

Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) sharply rebuked a reporter during a tense exchange on Tuesday after she referred to cartel-linked drug-running vessels as “fishing boats,” prompting a pointed response centered on presidential authority and the fentanyl crisis impacting American communities, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

The exchange, filmed by Caden Olson, a congressional reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation, occurred as Schmitt was questioned about recent federal actions involving maritime enforcement and national security.

The reporter began by drawing a comparison between the seizure of an oil tanker and actions taken against cartel vessels.

“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.

Schmitt immediately challenged the characterization.

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

When the reporter responded, “The drug runners,” Schmitt replied, “Those aren’t fishing boats.”

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The reporter attempted to continue, saying, “Yeah, but—” before Schmitt again stated, “Those aren’t fishing boats.”

As the reporter pressed further, saying, “If you can seize a vessel without violence—,” Schmitt shifted to a broader explanation of executive authority and the distinction between different federal actions.

“Okay. Well, let’s talk about Article II authority,” Schmitt said. “The President, the Commander in Chief, has identified and designated terrorist organizations—cartels who run drugs that kill 100,000 Americans a year.”

Schmitt said the President has clear authority to take lethal action against cartel vessels involved in drug trafficking. “There’s no legal question that he has the authority to blow those boats out of the water, and they will continue,” he said.

He contrasted that authority with economic sanctions, explaining the difference between military and civil enforcement.

“This, however—these were economic sanctions by the President, as delegated by Congress,” Schmitt said. “Those were enforced by civil authorities with the aid of the U.S. Navy. We’re talking about two very different things.”

Schmitt made clear he does not sympathize with cartel members involved in trafficking drugs into the United States.

“But if you’re asking me if I have sympathy for narco-terrorists killing Americans, whose boats are carrying the drugs that kill Americans, I don’t,” he said. “I have sympathy for my neighbors in Missouri who’ve been poisoned, who die.”

He concluded by criticizing Democratic priorities, saying, “We finally have a President who cares about them more than Democrats care about going down to El Salvador to drink margaritas with terrorists. That’s how I feel about it.”

WATCH: Sen. @Eric_Schmitt CLAPS BACK at reporter.

REPORTER: If you can seize an oil tanker without killing anyone, shouldn’t that have been the way that these fishing boats were also stopped?

SCHMITT: Fishing boats?! What is a fishing boat? The drug runners?

REPORTER:… pic.twitter.com/Zl73p3KLFY

— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) December 11, 2025

The exchange circulated widely on social media following its release, drawing attention to ongoing debates over cartel violence, fentanyl deaths, and the federal government’s role in combating international drug trafficking.

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