Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

irisblue

(37,141 posts)
Thu Feb 12, 2026, 04:08 PM Thursday

Rand Paul did the right thing today. I feel faint

Source-https://www.npr.org/2026/02/12/nx-s1-5707281/senate-dhs-oversight-hearing#:~:text=Thursday's%20oversight%20hearing%20by%20the,That's%20an%20escalatory%20thing.%22


Snip-Thursday's oversight hearing by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security began with a rebuke by Chairman Rand Paul, R-Ky., who asked leaders from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to watch frame-by-frame video of the events leading up to the death of 37-year-old Alex Pretti.


Paul then asked the officials if the use of force on display in the video — from women being shoved, the close use of pepper spray, to the ultimate shots fired at Pretti by Border Patrol — were justified tactics. And he asked if any of the actions were "deescalatory."

"It's clearly evident that the public trust has been lost. To restore trust in ICE and Border Patrol, they must admit their mistakes, be honest and forthright with their rules of engagement and pledge to reform," Paul said in his opening remarks.

"It's terrible police work, but there has to ultimately be repercussions. I think he [Pretti] is retreating at every moment," Paul said. "He's trying to get away, and he's being sprayed in the face. I don't think that's de-escalatory. That's an escalatory thing."

23 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Rand Paul did the right thing today. I feel faint (Original Post) irisblue Thursday OP
Stopped analog clock & when a terrible person does the right thing, irisblue Thursday #1
Not if theyre LEGIT crazy Libertarians...they think having a standing army is govt overreach, Volaris Thursday #9
Yes sometimes Libertarians do say the right things .... FakeNoose Thursday #13
I have to believe all of popsdenver Friday #22
Nonetheless he did vote to fund DHS today, DJ Synikus Makisimus Thursday #2
Every once in awhile he screws up and does the right thing Bayard Thursday #4
So in other words, he's a fucking hypocrite. AZ8theist Thursday #12
Most libertarians are leftstreet Friday #18
One would think....... AZ8theist Friday #23
Wherein the gulf between "saying" and "doing" is demonstrated... RockRaven Thursday #3
Never thought Rand Paul would ever "step up". Maybe, just maybe he is coming into his own? Let us hope. nt Evolve Dammit Thursday #5
There have been other times he has hit the mark. He is different. Ponder that. twodogsbarking Thursday #6
That's actually not that big of a story. Rand in the past has occasionally done the right thing. Fil1957 Thursday #7
The Confederacy has lost Kentucky Nasruddin Thursday #8
Kentucky never joined the Confederacy Jose Garcia Thursday #10
They came damn close, though. Wednesdays Thursday #15
Ketucky sent 65 regiments to the US Army. They sent 10 to the Confederates. malthaussen Friday #16
Some history I certainly did not know. Thanks. efhmc Friday #20
Rand Paul vote to acquit Trump RetiredParatrooper Thursday #11
At the end, Paul should have added, "and that was nothing but pure evil and murder'! CarolinaNC Thursday #14
I've always thought of Rand Paul as more of a Barry Goldwater Republican. generalbetrayus Friday #17
Nope. You always do right or you do WRONG. efhmc Friday #21
Now, please do the same with the frame-by-frame of Rene Good's murder pat_k Friday #19

Volaris

(11,544 posts)
9. Not if theyre LEGIT crazy Libertarians...they think having a standing army is govt overreach,
Thu Feb 12, 2026, 06:13 PM
Thursday

And Rand has always been just that kind of nuts.
The PRESENCE of a big govt goon squad is gonna have rand running on small govt and 2nd Amendment shit, and he could give half a fuck it's a Republican Govt....because Rand happens to ALSO BE, one of the few Legit Libertarians that can UNDERSTAND POLLS.


he IS crazy, I don't want anyone thinking he's gonna get my vote lol..but as long as we both think this govt is out of control, he can say what he wants and I'll keep my mouth shut and nod, and keep momentarily unnecessary opinions to myself.

FakeNoose

(40,859 posts)
13. Yes sometimes Libertarians do say the right things ....
Thu Feb 12, 2026, 06:46 PM
Thursday

... maybe for the wrong reasons, but at least they are saying things we can find acceptable.

Sometimes ...

popsdenver

(1,944 posts)
22. I have to believe all of
Fri Feb 13, 2026, 03:45 PM
Friday

these people now coming forth, are becoming "awakened" to what is currently taking place in the U.S.........Of course, please remember, that they have all been totally silent, and/or enabling all the decade's worth of shit that got us to this place in time........

leftstreet

(39,647 posts)
18. Most libertarians are
Fri Feb 13, 2026, 12:40 PM
Friday

Get the government out of our lives!
Also:
The government should outlaw abortion!



Wouldn't actual libertarians, champions of reduced government spending, be calling to ABOLISH ICE?

Fil1957

(635 posts)
7. That's actually not that big of a story. Rand in the past has occasionally done the right thing.
Thu Feb 12, 2026, 05:49 PM
Thursday

Now if Mike Johnson or Tommy Tuberville ever did something like that, it would be HUGE news.

malthaussen

(18,505 posts)
16. Ketucky sent 65 regiments to the US Army. They sent 10 to the Confederates.
Fri Feb 13, 2026, 12:10 PM
Friday

Kentucky tried to maintain a "neutral" stance at the beginning of the Civil War, then abandoned it once they were invaded by the CSA -- which was precisely the reason the USA didn't invade them first. I wouldn't say Kentucky "came close" to joining the CSA, and the ghost of Cassius Clay would probably like to have words with you -- at the point of a Bowie knife.

-- Mal

efhmc

(16,298 posts)
20. Some history I certainly did not know. Thanks.
Fri Feb 13, 2026, 02:29 PM
Friday

Some Texans took to the hills (many Germans/Texans who came here to get away from mandatory conscription which could last for 20 years.) There is a book about this which I can now longer find. Maybe the next time I go to Fredericksburg. Not a lot of hills around those parts but you get my meaning.

generalbetrayus

(1,628 posts)
17. I've always thought of Rand Paul as more of a Barry Goldwater Republican.
Fri Feb 13, 2026, 12:30 PM
Friday

He can stand up and do the right thing at times, like Goldwater sitting down with Tricky Dick and telling him it was time to go, but for both of them, "in your guts, you know he's nuts".

efhmc

(16,298 posts)
21. Nope. You always do right or you do WRONG.
Fri Feb 13, 2026, 02:35 PM
Friday

Unless you are small child who took your siblings' lollypop and are eating it. Then the evidence will soon be gone.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Rand Paul did the right t...