The son of Senator Rand Paul issued a public apology on Wednesday following a disturbing incident in which he launched into an anti-Semitic rant directed at a Republican congressman at a Washington, D.C., bar. William Paul, who served as a House staffer until last year, admitted to being intoxicated and stated that he would seek treatment for alcohol abuse.
The confrontation, first reported by NOTUS journalist Reese Gorman, occurred on Tuesday evening at an undisclosed restaurant in downtown Washington. William Paul accosted Representative Mike Lawler, a New York Republican representing a swing district, and began berating him over various political grievances.
Details of the Incident
According to the report, Paul's anger centered on the campaign to oust Representative Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican and ally of Senator Paul. Massie is currently being targeted by the pro-Israel group AIPAC and President Donald Trump in his primary race. William Paul told Lawler that if Massie lost, it would be because of "your people." When Lawler asked for clarification, Paul responded, "Yeah. You Jews."
Lawler, who is not Jewish, reminded Paul of this fact, to which Paul reportedly replied, "Oh wow, I'm so sorry for calling you a Jew." The rant continued for several minutes, with Paul declaring that Jews are "anti-American." Lawler attempted to end the exchange, saying, "Well, you just seem to hate Jews, so there's no point arguing anymore." Paul then allegedly shoved his finger in Lawler's face and denied making the statement.
Apology and Aftermath
Hours after the story broke, William Paul took to X (formerly Twitter) to apologize. He wrote, "Last night, I had too much to drink and said some things that don't represent who I really am. I'm sorry and today I am seeking help for my drinking problem." The post tagged Gorman, Lawler, and a New York Post journalist.
The Independent reached out to Senator Paul's and Representative Lawler's offices for comment. Senator Paul spent the day on Capitol Hill leading a hearing on the COVID-19 pandemic, alleging government cover-ups regarding the virus's origins.
Political Context
Thomas Massie's primary race has become a flashpoint within the Republican Party. Massie has accused AIPAC of attempting to oust him at Israel's behest due to his opposition to sending arms and funding to Israel. He also faces backlash from Trump for opposing the "Big, Beautiful Bill" last year. Both Massie and Senator Paul are known for their libertarian leanings, often voting against their party while opposing the Biden administration's agenda.
Representative Lawler, meanwhile, faces his own electoral challenge. Representing one of the most competitive districts in the nation—a district won by Kamala Harris in 2024—Lawler must outperform Trump's approval ratings to retain his seat, which is crucial for Republican hopes of maintaining a House majority.
