Sen. Rand Paul shot back at former CIA Director John Brennan after he called the Kentucky Republican “beneath contempt” for shielding President Trump from removal from office following his impeachment.
“He typifies the worst of [Trump’s] craven enablers,” Brennan said of Paul Tuesday amid news of his plan to read the alleged whistleblower’s name in the Senate trial. “Any Senator excusing this dangerous behavior makes a mockery of public service.”
Paul took exception to Brennan’s remark, pointing to what he said are black marks on the former intelligence chief’s own record in public life.
“You want to know what’s a mockery of public service, John?” he responded. “Killing 500 people outside of any judicial system. Drone strikes on American citizens. Approving British spies to present a dossier of lies paid for by Hillary. Lying to Congress.”
Paul told Brennan: “Your shame alone should shut you up.”
You want to know what’s a mockery of public service, John? Killing 500 people outside of any judicial system. Drone strikes on American citizens. Approving British spies to present a dossier of lies paid for by Hillary. Lying to Congress. Your shame alone should shut you up. https://t.co/u2ERmv4gE8
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) February 5, 2020
Brennan has drawn the ire of avid Trump defenders in recent months for his role in the FISA court abuse scandal that allowed top intelligence agency officials to surveil members of Trump’s presidential campaign in 2016.
Trump and his allies have pointed to Brennan, former FBI Director James Comey, and others as the ringleaders of a “deep state” cabal that sought to undermine Trump in the run-up to the election.
Paul earlier this month called for the Trump administration to revoke Brennan’s security clearance, referring to him as a “partisan hack & mouthpiece for the media has no business holding a clearance.”
After the Senate voted to acquit Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, Brennan shamed Paul and his GOP colleagues.
“History will revile all of you,” he said.
