Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) has voiced strong concerns regarding President Donald Trump’s recent actions in Venezuela, pointing fingers at Sen. Lindsey Graham for influencing the president’s decisions. In a recording shared by MeidasTouch’s Acyn Torabi, Paul expressed disappointment in Trump, contrasting current actions with the president’s earlier stance against foreign military interventions.
Paul began by recalling a past conversation with the Trump family after the first presidential debate in 2016. “They liked me and the idea of not being involved in foreign wars,” he said. This perspective resonated with Paul, who believed this inclination set Trump apart from previous administrations, particularly the Bushes, whom he criticized for their eagerness to engage in military conflicts abroad. “Much better than the Bushes, who were war mad,” he remarked, remembering Trump’s earlier remarks against liberal foreign policy approaches aimed at spreading democracy by force.
However, the senator is now wary, suggesting that Graham’s hawkish views have somewhat ensnared Trump’s original principles. Paul labeled Trump’s decision to act against Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro unilaterally—and without congressional approval—as “disdainful.” He noted, “Somehow they’ve convinced him it’s different if it’s in our hemisphere,” implying that Graham has led Trump to stray from his prior skepticism about regime change.
Paul’s critique of Graham’s influence on Trump paints a picture of a senator who feels a sincere betrayal, having once held hope that Trump would pursue a less interventionist course. His frustration bubbled over as he quipped, “There should be a law” restricting Graham’s access to the White House and requiring less face time with the president. Graham’s ongoing influence is further underscored by the relationship seen during Trump’s time aboard Air Force One.
In Paul’s view, Graham’s consistent support for military action contradicts a pivotal stance that Trump had previously maintained—the belief that regime change typically results in disaster. The senator’s comments highlight a complex struggle within the Republican Party over foreign policy direction, with figures like Graham pushing for aggressive actions while others like Paul advocate for restraint.
As the political landscape shifts, Paul’s alarm signals a deeper concern among some party members about the trajectory of American foreign policy under Trump. His remarks underscore an ongoing debate about the nation’s role in international conflicts and the power dynamics at play within the party itself.
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