Republican Sen. Rand Paul made it clear on Sunday that he does not support the use of the military or National Guard to remove undocumented immigrants from the US, a stance that contrasts with President-elect Donald Trump's promises.
Paul emphasized that he will not endorse the deployment of the military in cities for immigration enforcement. Instead, he suggested utilizing agencies like the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and US Border Patrol to assist local law enforcement in deportation efforts.
While expressing his commitment to addressing immigration issues, Paul stressed the importance of adhering to the law and upholding American traditions in the process.
Regarding the nomination of Scott Bessent to lead the Treasury Department under the incoming Trump administration, Paul indicated that he is evaluating his stance. He expressed concerns over Trump's proposed high tariffs on Chinese goods and a tax on products from other countries.
Despite his reservations about tariffs, Paul leaned towards supporting Bessent, who has advocated for a more gradual approach to imposing tariffs. Paul highlighted his belief that tariffs ultimately burden consumers as a form of taxation.
Paul's positions underscore his commitment to addressing immigration issues through lawful means and his cautious approach to economic policies that could impact consumers.