Sen. Rand Paul said House Speaker Mike Johnson has “completely changed” his conservative principles since taking the gavel and ripped the speaker over his recent backing of a government surveillance program.
Paul (R-Ky.) — who has rarely criticized Johnson — excoriated the speaker during an interview on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures,” suggesting he may be no different than the Democrats.
“People have to be strong in their convictions. He was seen as a conservative before he came to the speakership,” Paul said. “He’s completely changed and lost all his principles on the idea that we shouldn’t spy on Americans without a warrant.”
“Johnson hasn’t held his ground. He has power. He has a majority. Use the power of the purse, Speaker Johnson. Do something to make us think you are different than the Democrats, but so far, I don’t see a lot of difference.”
Last week, Johnson rankled hardliners within the Republican Party by wrangling legislation through the House of Representatives to reauthorize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Section 702 warrantless surveillance authority for two more years.
Paul has been a longtime foe of numerous federal government surveillance schemes. Section 702’s authorization was set to expire on April 19.
“Absolutely not,” Paul responded when asked if the government should be trusted with the surveillance power. “Americans shouldn’t be spied on by their own government.
“The Fourth Amendment was put in by our founding fathers to protect us. FISA doesn’t obey the Fourth Amendment,” he added. “Speaker Johnson was incredibly wrong.”
Section 702 gives the government authority to conduct targeted surveillance of foreigners believed to be located outside the US.
Johnson’s actions have emboldened right-wing foes such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), who dangled a motion to vacate the chair — oust him — last month.
Greene hasn’t ruled out the possibility of demanding a vote on a motion to vacate. She met with Johnson last week.
Paul also ripped the speaker over an appropriations deal brokered with Democrats that cleared Congress last month to fund the government for fiscal year 2024.
“The Democrats got everything they want[ed] in the spending,” Paul complained.
Republicans hold a threadbare majority in the lower chamber. The margin is expected to slip to 217 seats compared to the Democrats’ 213 when Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) resigns on Friday.
Johnson is expected to face resistance from his right flank over consideration of an aid package for war-torn Ukraine. The Senate previously passed a $95 billion supplemental that included roughly $60 billion for Ukraine and additional funding for Israel.
Paul put Johnson on notice about funding for Israel, calling on him, to “stick by his guns” and make Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) take up a bill that doesn’t add to the debt.
“What I would say to Speaker Johnson is hold your ground. Show some cojones, show some intestinal fortitude, for goodness sakes,” Paul chided.
Republicans in the House previously passed a standalone aid package to Israel with spending offsets. Democrats have demanded aid to Israel be paired with support for Ukraine.
The Kentucky Republican also blistered his colleague, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who recently announced plans to step down as the Republican leader in the upper chamber.
McConnell recently said that one of his goals during the remainder of his term will be to push back against the isolationist forces in the GOP.
“Anyone at this point would be better because he now has decided that Ukraine and sending our money to Ukraine — that we have to borrow — is more important than anything, including our border,” Paul said.
The Post contacted Johnson’s office for comment.
The comments from Paul were just the latest in an ongoing mutiny threat looming against Johnson amid GOP strife on spending, FISA, and Ukraine aid.
Eight Republicans previously teamed up with Democrats to oust Johnson’s predecessor Kevin McCarthy.
