WASHINGTON — In a sharp critique leveled against President Donald Trump, Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) declared Tuesday that he attributes the administration’s push toward regime change in Venezuela to incoming Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Appearing on “Rob Schmitt Tonight,” Paul voiced his opposition not only to broader U.S. interventionism but specifically criticized plans to bomb drug-carrying boats off Venezuela, deeming such action constitutionally suspect should its targets be shipwrecked individuals.
” The Constitution is pretty clear that war only occurs when Congress votes on it,” said the Kentucky Republican. Paul emphasized a core principle: “We also have very clear rules in our country that say that when someone has been bombed into submission, or they’re out of combat — if they’re clinging from the wreckage of a boat, if they are shipwrecked, and helpless, then by definition they are no longer eligible to be killed.”
The senator further contended that accountability for such questionable policies should lie squarely with those advocating them, not military personnel executing orders. He characterized this as “bad advice” being given to the president.
Paul noted his past support for Trump stemmed from shared oppositions, including resistance to regime change efforts in Iran and Libya. However, he questioned U.S. consistency on global authoritarian regimes. “Should we use that kind of force to get rid of President Xi? Should we use that kind of force to get rid of half a dozen tin-pot dictators around the world?” Paul queried.
“These other countries have their own bad authoritarians,” explained Paul, who framed Maduro as just another example in this global pattern. “And if you have to have war, it should be done in a constitutional fashion.”
Paul specifically targeted Marco Rubio as the root cause of what he perceives as flawed policy direction for Trump regarding Venezuela: “Marco Rubio has always wanted regime change in Venezuela and I think he’s giving him bad advice.”
