Rand Paul knocks Trump Gaza takeover plan: 'I thought we voted for America First'

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) on Wednesday slammed President Trump’s proposal to seize control of Gaza, send in U.S. troops if necessary and turn it into “the Riviera of the Middle East.”

“The pursuit for peace should be that of the Israelis and the Palestinians. I thought we voted for America First. We have no business contemplating yet another occupation to doom our treasure and spill our soldiers blood,” Paul posted on the social platform X.

Paul attached his comment to a repost of Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s post touting Trump’s plans for making Gaza “beautiful again.”

“Gaza MUST BE FREE from Hamas. As @POTUS shared today, the United States stands ready to lead and Make Gaza Beautiful Again. Our pursuit is one of lasting peace in the region for all people,” Rubio wrote.

Paul appeared alarmed by Trump’s openness to sending U.S. troops to Gaza to establish security.

“As far as Gaza is concerned, we’ll do what is necessary. If it’s necessary [to send U.S. troops to Gaza], we’ll do that. We’re going to take over that piece that we’re going to develop it,” Trump said during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Some Republicans, however, have responded favorably to Trump’s proposal, including Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.).

“Yeah, we’re trying to get the details of it, but I think it is a good development,” Johnson told a reporter for CNN.

Democrats could use their leverage over U.S. weapons sales to Israel to push back against Trump.

Democratic lawmakers have already placed a hold on a $1 billion arms sale to Israel, which would include 1,000-pound bombs and armored bulldozers built by Caterpillar.

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