Once again, the Republicans gave in completely and gave the Democrats everything they wanted. This time, Republican spokesman Mike Johnson made a sudden change of attitude on the issue of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). He is also prepared to provide more foreign aid to Ukraine and Israel.
Enter Sen. Rand Paul, never shy about criticizing his own party.
Now the senator has turned his attention to Speaker Johnson.
RELATED: House Speaker Mike Johnson explains changing stance on Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act targeting Americans for spying
Paul says there’s no difference between Johnson and Democrats
Paul said Johnson has “completely changed” and betrayed his conservative principles since becoming House speaker, focusing specifically on his recent support for the FISA government surveillance program.
Johnson, a Republican, is now no different than a Democrat, Paul said.
Senator Paul speaks on Fox News Sunday morning futures.
“People have to stand up for what they believe in. Before he became speaker, he was seen as a conservative,” Paul said. “He has completely changed and lost all principles that we should not be spying on Americans without a warrant.”
“Johnson didn’t stand his ground,” Paul continued. “He has the power. He has the majority. Speaker Johnson, please use the power of the wallet. Do something to make us think you are different from the Democrats, but so far I don’t see much of a difference.
Johnson angered conservatives last week by helping pass legislation extending the authority of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act for another two years.
This allows surveillance agencies without warrants.
Paul has long opposed Section 702 and the federal government’s overall surveillance program.
The Fox News host asked Paul whether the government should be trusted with these unauthorized spy powers.
“Absolutely not,” Paul replied. “Americans should not be spied on by their own government.
“The Fourth Amendment was created by our Founding Fathers to protect us. FISA does not adhere to the Fourth Amendment,” he added. “Speaker Johnson couldn’t be more wrong.”
RELATED: Exclusive: Kash Patel talks Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act reform: Suggestions the program could still be used to spy on Trump, other candidates
‘Democrats got everything they wanted’
Paul also blasted Speaker Johnson’s funding deal with Democrats that Congress approved last month to fund the government through fiscal year 2024.
“Democrats got everything they wanted in spending,” Paul lamented, including Ukraine spending.
Speaker Johnson isn’t the only Republican leader helping Democrats, either. After Senate Leader Mitch McConnell announced that he would step down from his leadership role, he said he would continue to serve as a senator to fight the “isolationist” forces in the Republican Party (namely Rand Paul).
McConnell is a staunch supporter of U.S. funding for Ukraine.
“Anyone would be better off at this point because he has now decided that Ukraine and sending the money we have to borrow to Ukraine is more important than anything else, including our border,” Paul said of McConnell’s departure from the leadership. .
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