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Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., on Sunday criticized President Donald Trump’s threats to bomb Iran, warning that such an attack could backfire as the U.S. government monitors the Middle Eastern country’s response to widespread protests.
During an appearance on ABC’s “This Week,” Paul said he was not sure striking Iran “would have the intended effect.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard a president say they would take military action to protect protesters,” Paul said. “Certainly, with Soleimani, when the Trump administration hit him, there were huge protests against America. But they were screaming ‘Death to the Ayatollah.’”
“We wish them the best,” he added. “We wish freedom and freedom the best throughout the world, but I do not believe it is the job of the American government to participate in every freedom movement around the world.”
Trump says US will intervene if Iran starts killing protesters: ‘Locked and loaded’
Senator Rand Paul criticized President Donald Trump’s threats to bomb Iran, warning that such an attack may not have the intended effect. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Paul also stressed concern about how the Trump administration would differentiate Iranian protesters from law enforcement if the president sought military action.
“How do you drop a bomb in the middle of a crowd or a protest and protect the people there?” he asked. Paul asked.
The Republican lawmaker also warned that attacking Iran could inadvertently rally protesters behind the Ayatollah.
“If you bomb the government, are you going to rally people who are angry at the ayatollah under their banner, and then say, ‘Well, my God, we can’t let a foreign government invade or bomb our country?'” Paul said.
“He tends to rally people to the cause,” he continued. “So, I think the protests are directed against the Ayatollah, and that is justified.”
Paul added: “The best way is to encourage them and say that of course we will recognize a freedom-loving government that allows free elections, but bombing is not the solution.”
The liberal-minded senator also asserted that presidents cannot strike other countries without Congress’ approval.
Senator Rand Paul emphasized that presidents cannot strike other countries without the approval of Congress. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
“There’s a sticking point in the Constitution that we won’t allow presidents to bomb countries when they want to,” Paul stressed. “They’re supposed to ask the people, through Congress, for permission.”
Protests have erupted in Iran in recent weeks over the country’s economic free fall, and many have begun calling for a complete regime change as demonstrations continue.
According to reports, thousands have been arrested. Agencies were unable to confirm the total death toll due to the internet outage as the country’s leaders seek to suppress dissent, but the Associated Press reported that more than 500 people were killed.
Trump warned Iranian leaders on Friday that they “better not start shooting, because we’re going to start shooting, too.”
“Iran is looking forward to freedom, perhaps like never before. The United States is ready to help!!!” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Saturday.
Iran’s Supreme Leader blames Trump for increasingly intense demonstrations
President Donald Trump warned Iranian leaders that they “better not start shooting, because we’re going to start shooting, too.” (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Paul has opposed Trump on various occasions in recent months when it comes to launching military strikes, including against Iran and Venezuela.
The Senate helped advance a resolution last week that would limit Trump’s ability to launch further attacks against Venezuela after the US military’s recent move to strike the country and arrest its president, Nicolas Maduro, which the Kentucky Republican said amounted to war.
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“I think bombing a capital and removing a head of state is war by any definition,” Paul told reporters before the vote last week. “Does this mean that we have carte blanche that the president can make the decision at any time and in any place to invade a foreign country and deport people whom we have accused of committing a crime?” he asked.
Paul also criticized the administration’s military strikes on boats near Venezuela that it accuses, without evidence, of transporting drug terrorists, raising concerns about killing people without due process and the possibility of killing innocent people. The senator previously cited Coast Guard statistics showing that a large percentage of boats boarded on suspicion of drug smuggling are innocent.