Republican Senator Rand Paul has criticised Vice-President JD Vance for what he described as 'despicable' comments in support of extrajudicial military killings. The criticism follows Vance's defence of a US military strike against a Venezuelan boat in the Caribbean Sea, which killed 11 people the administration alleged were drug traffickers.
In a post on X, Vance stated that 'killing cartel members who poison our fellow citizens is the highest and best use of our military'. He contrasted this with what he characterised as Democratic policy, writing: 'Democrats: let's send your kids to die in Russia. Republicans: actually let's protect our people from the scum of the earth.'
Rand Paul, who chairs the Senate committee on homeland security and government affairs, responded on the same platform. He questioned whether Vance had ever read Harper Lee's novel To Kill a Mockingbird, alluding to the risks of executing individuals without trial. Paul called Vance's sentiment 'despicable and thoughtless'.
The strike has heightened tensions between the US and Venezuela. President Donald Trump has vowed further military action, stating 'there's more where that came from'. In recent months, the US has sent warships and F-35 fighter jets to the region, and last month offered a $50m bounty for Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
Trump framed the boat attack as action against 'terrorists' in international waters. In a statement on his social media platform Truth Social, he said the strike resulted in 11 terrorists killed and warned anyone bringing drugs into the United States.
