Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) is facing heavy criticism after attacking Vice President JD Vance for defending a U.S. military strike that destroyed a drug-smuggling vessel linked to Venezuela.
Paul bizarrely cited To Kill a Mockingbird in his attempt to lecture Vance about “due process” for foreign cartel traffickers.
The Background
Last week, President Trump ordered a first-of-its-kind strike on a cartel-linked boat leaving Venezuela.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) September 2, 2025
Pentagon officials said the vessel was tied to the notorious Tren de Aragua gang and carrying narcotics.
Trump announced the strike killed 11 suspected traffickers, calling it part of a tougher approach to America’s southern flank.
Vance’s Defense
Vance defended the move in blunt terms.
“Killing cartel members who poison our fellow citizens is the highest and best use of our military,” he wrote on X.
When a left-wing activist accused him of endorsing “war crimes,” Vance shot back: “I don’t give a sh*t what you call it.”
Paul’s Attack
Senator Paul blasted Vance’s response in a Saturday night post.
Rand Paul
“JD ‘I don’t give a sh*t’ Vance says killing people he accuses of a crime is the ‘highest and best use of the military.’ Did he ever read To Kill a Mockingbird?” Paul wrote.
Paul claimed Vance was glorifying “executions without trial or representation.”
Backlash Erupts
Paul’s comments triggered immediate pushback online.
The Trump War Room account posted a meme mocking him for crying over “dead drug dealers.”
“You’re demanding a full trial for every two-bit drug-peddling scumbag foreigner that poisons and kills Americans,” one user said.
Another wrote bluntly: “This post lost at the ballot box.”
Senator Bernie Moreno (R-OH) defended Vance and blasted Paul.
“What’s really despicable is defending foreign terrorist drug traffickers who are directly responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Americans in Kentucky and Ohio,” Moreno said.
“JD understands that our first responsibility is to protect the life and liberty of American citizens.”
