Rand Paul Again Slams Trump Over Strikes On Alleged Drug Boats Off Venezuela: 'A Lot Of Reasons To Be Worried'

Republican Sen. Rand Paul again slammed President Donald Trump over the administration's continued strikes against alleged drug boats off Venezuela, reiterating that any armed conflict should be approved by Congress.

Speaking with British journalist Piers Morgan, Paul rejected the administration's claim that the strikes were targeting smugglers carrying different drugs, including fentanyl.

"There is no fentanyl made in Venezuela. Not just a little bit, there's none being made. These are outboard boats that, in order for them to get to Miami, would have to stop and refuel 20 times," Paul said.

"It's all likely going to Trinidad and Tobago. There are a lot of reasons to be worried about this. Number one is the broader principle of when can you kill people indiscriminately when there's war. That's why when we declare war is supposed to be done by Congress. It's not supposed to be done willy nilly. When there's war you just kill people in the war zone, there are rules of engagement," Paul added.

He concluded by saying that "interdicting drugs has always been an anti crime activity where we don't just summarily execute people, we actually present evidence and convict them."

Paul is joining a bill introduced by Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine, which will force a vote to stop Trump from unilaterally declaring war on the South American country. NPR detailed that the Upper House will have to vote after a 10-day waiting period.

Paul addressed the move in a social media publication, claiming "it's imperative that we make it clear that war powers reside with Congress, not the president."

Trump has lashed back at Paul in response. He recently dedicated him a social media post, asking "Whatever happened to 'Senator' Rand Paul?"

"He was never great, but he went really BAD! I got him elected, TWOCE (in the Great Commonwealth of Kentucky!), but he just never votes positively for the Republican Party. He's a nasty liddle' guy, much like 'Congressman' Thomas Massie, aka Rand Paul Jr., also of Kentucky (which I won three times, in massive landslides!), a sick Wacko, who refuses to vote for our great Republican Party, MAGA, or America First. It's really weird!!!"