KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Former U.S. Senator Scott Brown, who represented Massachusetts in Washington and later served as U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa, was the featured guest Tuesday on Good Morning with Dan Mitchell on WKBK Radio. Brown, a Republican running for the U.S. Senate in New Hampshire’s 2026 race, discussed local and national issues during the live broadcast from Keene.

Brown, who has deep ties to New England and relocated to New Hampshire following his 2014 Senate campaign in the state, has a long public service record that stretches from the Massachusetts State Legislature to international diplomacy under President Donald Trump.

He spoke candidly on topics ranging from local concerns about a proposed detention facility in Merrimack to broader federal issues like the government funding impasse, border security, international relations, and the national debt.

Merrimack Detention Facility, Local Transparency

Responding to listener calls and local debate over a potential detention center in Merrimack, Brown stressed the importance of transparency in government and clear community input on major decisions. He noted that understanding whether residents want such a facility is crucial, adding his focus would be on ensuring local voices shape outcomes.

“I was struck by the transparency issue… you hear a lot of people are objecting, but in actuality, you need to make sure that you know by 100% whether they want it or not,” Brown said on the air.

Government Shutdown and Border Policy

Brown criticized what he described as political brinkmanship surrounding the federal funding process, saying ongoing shutdown threats hurt everyday Americans rather than solve underlying policy disagreements. He also weighed in on immigration enforcement, defending law enforcement actions while calling for better cooperation between federal and local authorities.

“The fact that they are once again holding up and using leverage to keep the American citizens … hostage, I think is wrong,” Brown told listeners. He later referenced cities choosing not to cooperate with federal detainer requests, arguing that such policies complicate enforcement.

Foreign Policy Views

On foreign policy, Brown supported U.S. action in Venezuela to capture President Nicolás Maduro, saying it was justified because of Maduro’s alleged ties to narcotics and regional instability. He expressed cautious support for ongoing diplomatic efforts in Ukraine and praised NATO allies for increasing defense spending.

As someone who served as ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa, Brown underscored the importance of diplomatic work and the use of both “strong and soft power” in global affairs.

National Debt and Domestic Policy

A major theme of Brown’s remarks was fiscal responsibility. He criticized the nation’s rising federal debt — much higher now than when he previously served in the Senate — and said solutions should focus on cutting waste and increasing revenue through economic growth rather than new federal spending.

“If we don’t start paying down our national debt … we’re going to be in trouble,” Brown said, adding that he opposes unfunded federal mandates that increase the burden on local taxpayers.

Campaign Context

Brown’s appearance comes as he seeks a return to the U.S. Senate, this time for New Hampshire’s open seat following the retirement of Senator Jeanne Shaheen. Brown previously served in the Senate from 2010 to 2013 after winning a special election in Massachusetts and later lost to Elizabeth Warren in 2012. He also narrowly lost New Hampshire’s 2014 Senate race.

During the interview, Brown mentioned President Trump’s endorsement of another Republican candidate, describing it as energizing for his own supporters and emphasizing his independent approach to campaigning.