Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul’s (R) nonintervention hardline and past impression of the president found him unhappy with a particular senator alleged to have the commander-in-chief in his “thrall.”
“… it disappoints me …”
Already firmly planted on President Donald Trump’s bad side, the libertarian conservative lawmaker from the Derby State wasn’t winning back any favor following strikes in Venezuela and the apprehension of dictator Nicolás Maduro. Instead, his stated opposition to further military action in the South American nation came with added disfavor for South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham (R), whom he suggested might be manipulating the president.
Speaking with reporters Monday, Paul harkened back to an opinion he held of Trump going back to when both men were running in a crowded field for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination. “It was something I liked about Donald Trump. Whenever I had misgivings about something else, I’d always come back and say, ‘Well, he’s the best we’ve ever had.’ Much better than the Bushes, who were war-mad and wanted to be involved in all these crazy wars overseas or make the world safe for democracy.”
“I never liked any of that. And I thought Trump was different. And so, it disappoints me, but he’s under the thrall of Lindsey Graham,” alleged the senator.
Rand Paul is disappointed by Trump’s raid in Venezuela:
“Whenever I had misgivings, I’d always say ‘he’s the best we’ve ever had,’ much better than the Bushes who were war mad. I thought Trump was different so it disappoints me that he’s under the thrall of Lindsey Graham.” pic.twitter.com/9U5LP3vjxi
— The American Conservative (@amconmag) January 5, 2026
Aboard Air Force One, Graham, ever the war hawk, took on the role of hype man for Trump, telling gaggling reporters, “Every administration has been saying [Maduro’s] a threat to our country. He’s a bad guy. This is the first guy that has actually done something about it.”
“Maduro has nobody to blame but himself. [Trump] gave him a way out. He chose to defy Trump and the U.S. military, and his a** is in jail where he deserves to be. And every president has said the same thing, but [Trump] did it,” added the senator who also snagged a photo with Trump holding a signed “Make Iran Great Again” hat that suggested conversations about action in the Middle East.
Every other administration talked tough on Venezuela, but President @realDonaldTrump is the only one who delivered. pic.twitter.com/R4E1TPEZYj
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) January 5, 2026
Another great day with @POTUS who has brought America back, stronger than ever, at home and abroad. God bless our Commander in Chief and all of the brave men and women who serve under him.
I’m proud to be an American.
God bless and protect the brave people of Iran who are… pic.twitter.com/V7Y6XsO680
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) January 5, 2026
By contrast, as had been reported, over the weekend, Paul had both condemned the Maduro regime and challenged the Trump administration’s approach to accountability as he was expected to join Senate Democrats in a war powers resolution to attempt to block continued military action against Venezuela.
“While celebrating the demise of Maduro, the fact that his toppling came by executive order and not by Congressional declaration is not an insignificant point,” wrote Paul. “In this case, a leader who monopolized central power is removed in an action that monopolizes central power.”
“Time will tell if regime change in Venezuela is successful without significant monetary or human cost,” added the senator. “Best, though, not to forget, that our founders limited the executive’s power to go to war without Congressional authorization for a reason–to limit the horror of war and limit war to acts of defense.”
Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn't researching current events and their impacts, you'll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.
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