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Rand Paul Breaks With Trump on Iran, Warns GOP of ‘Disastrous’ 2026 Midterms

The Kentucky senator questions the war’s justification, warning that continued strikes driving oil past $100 risk dooming Republicans.

Overview

  • Paul told Fox Business the party is “behind the eight ball” and argued high gas and oil prices, not an internal split, pose the greater election threat.
  • He was the only Republican to support a Senate war powers measure requiring presidential approval from Congress for nondefensive action against Iran.
  • He said the administration’s shifting explanations — from liberating Iranians to claims of an imminent nuclear threat — are not convincing and called it a “war of choice.”
  • He opposes a large Pentagon supplemental, calling a half‑trillion‑dollar boost to defense spending fiscally irresponsible given the national debt.
  • WTI crude briefly rose above $100 per barrel and AAA reports the national average gas price above $3.50, underscoring the political risks he highlighted.