Senator Rand Paul, much like his outspoken and libertarian-leaning father, aren’t afraid to rock the political boat, and this week has been no exception.
The younger Paul has long been seen as a beacon of hope in the Senate, particularly as it pertains to US foreign policy. His levelheaded approach to international action often puts him at odds with the war-hawks of The Beltway, but is endearing to Americans everywhere who are sick of endless and needless war.
That’s why it’s not surprising that Rand Paul has taken a stern stance when it comes to Donald Trump’s recent ordering of an airstrike that resulted in the death of Iran’s General Was Soleimani.
On Sunday’s Meet The Press, Paul was asked about congressional briefings he’s received on that very subject, and his answer didn’t paint a terribly favorable portrait of the Trump administration.
Paul said, “I think we’ve heard contradictory information. We’ve heard from the secretary of state that they don’t know where or when but it was imminent. That to me does seem inconsistent. He thinks he can square the circle but to me it seems pretty inconsistent.”
He added, “To me there’s a bigger question too, though, and this is what infuriated me about the briefing is they maintain both in private and in public that a vote by Congress in 2003 or 2002 to go after Saddam Hussein was a vote that allows them to still be in Iraq and do whatever they want, including killing a foreign general from Iran. And I don’t think that’s what Congress meant in 2002. Nor do I think one generation can bind another generation. So my point in being for this war powers debate is that we really need to have a debate about whether we should still be in Iraq or Afghanistan, and there needs to be authorization from Congress.”
Fellow Republican Senator Mike Lee had earlier called these briefings “insulting”, and brutally lambasted the President’s team over the matter.
