“I Think It’s a Terrible Way to Start,” Rand Paul Criticizes Trump’s Border and Deportation Plans

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) is once again positioning himself as a potential obstacle to President-elect Donald Trump’s agenda, particularly on his plans for border security and deportation. According to Axios, Paul is raising concerns about the costs associated with Trump’s proposed policies, which could create friction within the Republican Party as it grapples with how to push forward Trump’s legislative priorities.

The debate within the party centers around how to prioritize Trump’s agenda, with some senators, including incoming Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), advocating for a focus on a nine-figure budget reconciliation package that would address energy and border security.

They aim to tackle these issues before moving on to extending Trump’s 2017 tax cuts. However, House Republicans, operating with a narrower majority, worry this approach could undermine the entire strategy.

Paul, the son of the influential former Texas Rep. Ron Paul, has a different concern: the high cost of Trump’s proposed plans. “I’m not a big fan of what Republicans are saying, they’re going to spend $100 billion on the border, another $200 billion on military to bust the military caps.

I think it’s a terrible way to start,” Paul told Axios. His remarks highlight his longstanding opposition to excessive government spending and his belief that Trump’s plans may not be fiscally responsible.

This statement follows Paul’s previous opposition to using the military for deportations. Last month, Paul expressed his discomfort with the idea of sending troops to assist in rounding up immigrants, specifically citing the troubling image it would present.

“If they send the Army into New York and you have 10,000 troops marching, carrying semi-automatic weapons, I think it’s a terrible image and I will oppose that.”

While the legal feasibility of using the military for deportations remains unclear, some experts suggest Trump could turn to local law enforcement, such as “constitutional sheriffs” in Texas and Arizona, to form citizen volunteer posses to assist in the deportation effort.

Paul’s criticisms extend beyond border and military matters. He has also spoken out against Trump’s proposed consumer tariffs, calling them “a tax on the consumer,” and has criticized the unrealistic promises made by Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk to balance the federal budget without making cuts to programs like Social Security and Medicare.

As the new administration prepares to take office, Paul’s objections signal that the Republican Party may face internal divisions over how to approach Trump’s ambitious agenda.