Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., is set to speak at the Republican National Convention this week in support of President Trump's 2020 presidential candidacy. Here's what you need to know about the ophthalmologist turned federal lawmaker.
The Kentucky Republican is the son of famed GOP Texas lawmaker Rep. Ron Paul, also known as "Dr. No" for his libertarian tendencies and habit of voting against most congressional legislation.
After starting his own medical clinic and practicing as a physician for over 15 years, Paul ran for an open Senate seat during the 2010 midterm elections and defeated state Attorney General Jack Conway. The win was driven by Tea Party enthusiasm and a promise to return to grassroots governing.
Paul won reelection to the Senate in 2016 with Trump leading the top of the ticket, as the upper chamber remained under GOP control.
His political positions vary from conservative to libertarian with a special focus on eliminating government spending, limiting foreign military action, and rooting out privacy abuse by U.S. intelligence agencies and FISA courts against American citizens.
TRUMP ACCUSES DEMOCRATS OF 'USING COVID TO STEAL OUR ELECTION' IN DEFIANT RNC REMARKS AFTER NOMINATION
Paul, who was a presidential candidate in 2016, has long been an advocate of curbing online intelligence abuses such as the collection of data on millions of people by the NSA.
The Republican has spoken out against mandatory minimum prison sentences for nonviolent drug offenders and introduced a bill in June to end the police practice of serving no-knock warrants.
Paul has railed against socialized medicine, citing personal experience as a doctor, while publicly pushing for congressional term limits, along with the federal legalization of medical cannabis.
With regard to Joe Biden, Paul accused the former vice president of being "up to his eyeballs" in terms of his alleged involvement with the investigation into the Trump campaign's ties to Russia.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP
Paul is set to speak on Tuesday evening along with First Lady Melania Trump; Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, among others.
A_Rampaging_Hobo on August 25th, 2020 at 18:58 UTC »
Libertarian when convenient. Don't forget he endorsed Roy Moore, the guy who wants the 10 Commandments outside every court.
HoldTheRedDoor on August 25th, 2020 at 13:18 UTC »
He endorsed Gary Johnson for Senate in 2018.
If he was fully Libertarian he’d switch his party registration like Justin Amash did but I’m pretty sure there’s certain parts of the party platform he disagrees with hence he remains a libertarian leaning Republican. He’s probably pro life for example.
3720-To-One on August 25th, 2020 at 12:23 UTC »
He’s a partisan hack who’s job within the GOP is to convince libertarians to vote republican.
And for some reason they continue to swallow it up, hook, line, and sinker.
For the people in back, I’ll say it again.
The GOP DOESNT CARE ABOUT LIBERTY OR SMALL GOVERNMENT.