Rand Paul Unleashes On VP Vance Over Drug Boat Strike

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) escalated his criticism of the Trump administration this weekend, this time targeting Vice President JD Vance over his unapologetic defense of President Donald Trump’s decision to destroy a vessel suspected of smuggling drugs into the United States.

The U.S. military strike last week killed 11 suspected Venezuelan smugglers linked to the Tren de Aragua cartel — a group the Trump administration has officially designated a foreign terrorist organization. The vessel was believed to be carrying a shipment of deadly fentanyl bound for American shores.

In a post on X, Vice President Vance said Trump’s decision was justified: “Killing cartel members who poison our fellow citizens is the highest and best use of our military.”

Left-wing activist Brian Krassenstein responded by accusing the president of committing a “war crime.” Vance fired back bluntly: “I don’t give a shit what you call it.”

That response drew fire from Paul, who accused the vice president of disregarding due process. “JD ‘I don’t give a shit’ Vance says killing people he accuses of a crime is the ‘highest and best use of the military,’” Paul wrote. “Did he ever read To Kill a Mockingbird? Did he ever wonder what might happen if the accused were immediately executed without trial or representation?? What a despicable and thoughtless sentiment it is to glorify killing someone without a trial.”

Paul, who chairs the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, had already criticized the strike last week, arguing suspected criminals should be captured, not killed. In an interview with Newsmax, he said: “It’s hard to have any sympathy for drug dealers trying to import product into our country. But at the same time, I guess, you might ask the question, ‘Where does it end? Are we the world’s policemen?’”

Paul argued that had the boat been intercepted closer to U.S. shores, the suspects would have been arrested. “If they don’t shoot at us, we don’t shoot at them. They’re confiscated; they’re put in jail.”

But constitutional experts point out that under Article II authority, the president has the power to order military action short of war against designated foreign terrorist organizations — a designation made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio in coordination with the attorney general and treasury secretary.

The Trump administration has been clear: the fight against fentanyl is a fight for America’s survival. With over 100,000 Americans killed each year by the drug — much of it trafficked by cartels using chemicals supplied by Communist China — the president has promised to treat drug smugglers like terrorists.

Paul remains one of the few Republicans openly challenging that approach, warning against what he calls “unilateral strikes.” But Vance and much of the America First movement see it differently — not as law enforcement, but as war against a foreign enemy actively killing Americans.