From allies to adversaries: Republican Rand Paul condemns JD Vance’s ‘glorification of violence’

JD Vance has received heavy criticism for his outspoken comments on the Trump administration’s decision to carry out a military strike on a boat allegedly belonging to a Venezuelan gang transporting drugs on Sept. 2. Eleven suspected traffickers were killed in the attack.

On Saturday, the vice president of the United States stated on X, “Killing cartel members who poison our fellow citizens is the highest and best use of our military,” a post that drew widespread backlash.

Rand Paul’s belief at JD Vance comments

Among the dissenters was Brian Krassenstein, a prominent online critic of the Trump administration, who responded, “Killing the citizens of another nation who are civilians without any due process is called a war crime.”

Vance replied just over 20 minutes later with what some described as a defiant comeback: “I don’t give a shit what you call it.”

That comment provoked further outrage, with even fellow Republican Rand Paul, a senator from Kentucky, voicing disbelief.

“Did he ever read ”To Kill a Mockingbird?" Did he ever wonder what might happen if the accused were immediately executed without trial or representation? What a despicable and thoughtless sentiment it is to glorify killing someone without a trial,” Paul said.

ICC and legal concerns enter the debate

Krassenstein escalated the exchange by bringing the International Criminal Court into the discussion. “Dear ICC, I will happily testify against JD Vance whenever you want me to. The vice president of the United States: ‘I don’t give a shit if you call the killing of civilians a war crime.’”

Trump has openly stated he intends to target drug cartels, who he blames for overdoses and deaths in the United States. However, legal experts, former national security officials, Democrats and others have suggested the president has overstepped his authority and does not have the legal power to carry out such a strike in international waters.

Questions over Trump’s authority to use force

Cartel members have historically been treated as criminals with the right to due process, raising questions about Trump’s ability to use lethal military force against the boat, despite his belief it belonged to a “foreign terrorist organization.”

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