TROOPS THERE TO HELP SAFEGUARD THE FACILITY. AND TODAY, SENATOR RAND PAUL SPOKE WITH MARGARET BRENNAN ON CBS’S FACE THE NATION ABOUT THE PRESIDENT’S PLAN TO SEND TROOPS TO PORTLAND. HE SAYS THE PRESIDENT HAS THE LEGAL AUTHORITY TO SEND TROOPS, BUT ALSO SAYS IT’S BETTER WHEN THE STATES AGREE TO IT. I THINK BOTH THE PEOPLE IN PORTLAND AND ACROSS AMERICA HAVE TO DECIDE ABOUT THIS. YOU KNOW, WE HAD ANARCHY IN PORTLAND FOR LIKE SIX MONTHS OR A YEAR. THE CITY DIDN’T EVEN CONTROL LARGE SWATHS OF THE CITY. THESE HAD FEDERAL BUILDINGS ON THEM. AND SO I THINK THERE IS A ROLE FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. AM I EXCITED ABOUT IT? NO, I’D PREFER NOT TO HAVE TROOPS IN OUR CITIES, OR I’D PREFER THEM ONLY TO COME, YOU KNOW, WITH THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES. BUT I DO THINK THERE IS A ROLE IF THE STATES WILL NOT STEP UP. OTHER TOPICS OF DISCUSSION INCLUD
Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul appears on ‘Face the Nation’ on CBS
Updated: 8:03 AM EDT Sep 29, 2025
Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul appeared on CBS’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday, where he discussed several topics, including government spending, federal troop deployments, and concerns about domestic terrorism.When asked about his thoughts on the brewing government shutdown, Paul criticized both Republican and Democratic spending plans, saying they were both “laden with deficit spending.”He said the Republican proposal would add about $2 trillion in debt over the next year, while the Democratic plan would add about $3 trillion.Paul highlighted his own “penny plan,” which he said would cut spending across the board and balance the budget within five years.”We got a vote on my end last week, and 36 Republicans supported it. Sixteen didn’t, and no Democrats did. So my plan didn’t pass either,” he said. “But the plan that I would support would be a plan that reduces spending and reduces deficit spending.”Paul also weighed in on President Donald Trump’s plan to send troops to Portland, Oregon.He said the president has the “legal authority” to send troops, but also said it’s “better when the states agree to it.””I think both the people in Portland and across America have to decide about this. You know, we had anarchy in Portland for like, six months or a year. The city didn’t even control large swaths of the city. These had federal buildings on them, and so I think there is a role for the federal government,” Paul said. “Am I excited about it? No. I’d prefer not to have troops in our cities, or I’d prefer them only to come, you know, with the acceptance of the local authorities. But I do think there is a role if the states will not step up.”The senator also addressed concerns about domestic extremist groups, cautioning against labeling groups like antifa as terrorists.”It is an amorphous group in the sense that I don’t think they have a president. I don’t have a local chapter. It is more an ideology,” he said.While Paul cautioned against using labels, he reiterated that “real violent people” should still be prosecuted. “I’m absolutely for going after the people wielding clubs and sticks and fighting with the police and trying to get into the federal buildings. They have to be punished, and they will be,” he said.
WASHINGTON —
Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul appeared on CBS’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday, where he discussed several topics, including government spending, federal troop deployments, and concerns about domestic terrorism.
When asked about his thoughts on the brewing government shutdown, Paul criticized both Republican and Democratic spending plans, saying they were both “laden with deficit spending.”
He said the Republican proposal would add about $2 trillion in debt over the next year, while the Democratic plan would add about $3 trillion.
Paul highlighted his own “penny plan,” which he said would cut spending across the board and balance the budget within five years.
“We got a vote on my end last week, and 36 Republicans supported it. Sixteen didn’t, and no Democrats did. So my plan didn’t pass either,” he said. “But the plan that I would support would be a plan that reduces spending and reduces deficit spending.”
Paul also weighed in on President Donald Trump’s plan to send troops to Portland, Oregon.
He said the president has the “legal authority” to send troops, but also said it’s “better when the states agree to it.”
“I think both the people in Portland and across America have to decide about this. You know, we had anarchy in Portland for like, six months or a year. The city didn’t even control large swaths of the city. These had federal buildings on them, and so I think there is a role for the federal government,” Paul said. “Am I excited about it? No. I’d prefer not to have troops in our cities, or I’d prefer them only to come, you know, with the acceptance of the local authorities. But I do think there is a role if the states will not step up.”
The senator also addressed concerns about domestic extremist groups, cautioning against labeling groups like antifa as terrorists.
“It is an amorphous group in the sense that I don’t think they have a president. I don’t have a local chapter. It is more an ideology,” he said.
While Paul cautioned against using labels, he reiterated that “real violent people” should still be prosecuted.
“I’m absolutely for going after the people wielding clubs and sticks and fighting with the police and trying to get into the federal buildings. They have to be punished, and they will be,” he said.