Major Controversies Surrounding Rand Paul: A Detailed Timeline

Public opinion and media debates around Rand Paul—discover key moments of controversy.

Rand Paul is an American politician and the junior United States Senator from Kentucky since 2011. A Republican, he identifies as a constitutional conservative and a supporter of the Tea Party movement. Paul is known for his libertarian-leaning views, which are often compared to those of his father, Ron Paul, a former U.S. Representative and presidential candidate. He advocates for limited government, individual liberties, and a non-interventionist foreign policy. Paul has been a vocal critic of government spending, surveillance programs, and military interventions, often taking stances that differentiate him from mainstream Republican positions.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1964: Civil Rights Act Controversy

During his 2010 campaign, Rand Paul's comments on the Civil Rights Act of 1964 stirred controversy.

1999: Incorporated the National Board of Ophthalmology

In 1999, Rand Paul incorporated the National Board of Ophthalmology (NBO) to offer an alternative certification system.

2000: NBO Dissolved

In 2000, Rand Paul did not file the required paperwork with the Kentucky Secretary of State's office for the NBO's renewal to operate, and it was legally dissolved.

2002: KTU stopped issuing ratings

In 2010, The Wall Street Journal reported that KTU had stopped issuing ratings and report cards after 2002 and had been legally dissolved in 2000.

2005: NBO Recreated

In 2005, Rand Paul recreated the National Board of Ophthalmology (NBO).

2008: Grayson Admission

Although Grayson was considered the frontrunner in July, Paul found success characterizing Grayson as a "career politician" and challenging Grayson's conservatism. Paul ran an ad in February that made an issue out of Grayson's 2008 admission that he voted for Bill Clinton when he was 20 years old.

September 2009: Report on KTU ratings

In September 2009, Rand Paul claimed that KTU published ratings each year on state legislators' tax positions.

2009: Paul's abortion stance

In 2009, Rand Paul's position on abortion was to ban it under all circumstances.

2010: Supported constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage nationwide

In 2010, Rand Paul supported a constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage across the United States.

2010: Wall Street Journal report

In 2010, The Wall Street Journal reported that KTU had stopped issuing ratings and report cards after 2002 and had been legally dissolved in 2000.

2010: Paul says he would allow for a doctor's discretion in life-threatening cases

Since 2010, Rand Paul has said he would allow for a doctor's discretion in life-threatening cases such as ectopic pregnancies, regarding abortion.

2011: Paul signs onto No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act

In 2011, Rand Paul signed onto the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, which aimed to prohibit federal funding for abortion, except in cases of rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother.

2011: NBO Dissolved Again

In 2011, Rand Paul's recreated National Board of Ophthalmology (NBO) was again dissolved.

2011: Blocked refugee benefits bill

In October 2011, Rand Paul blocked a bill that would provide $36 million in benefits for elderly and disabled refugees, due to concerns that it could aid domestic terrorists. This was prompted by the arrest of two alleged terrorists in Bowling Green who had entered the United States through a refugee program and were receiving welfare benefits. Paul later lifted the hold after Democratic leaders agreed to hold a congressional hearing and request an investigation into the refugee selection process.

2012: Received funds from oil, gas and coal interests

According to The Guardian, Rand Paul has received over $250,000 from oil, gas and coal interests since 2012.

October 2013: Plagiarism Controversy

In October 2013, Rand Paul faced controversy when it was discovered he had plagiarized from a Wikipedia article about the movie "Gattaca" during a speech supporting Virginia gubernatorial candidate Ken Cuccinelli. Subsequent evidence revealed other instances of plagiarism in speeches and in his book, "Government Bullies". As a result, The Washington Times ceased publishing his weekly column. Paul addressed the allegations, claiming he was being held to an "unfair standard" and pledged to restructure his office to prevent future mistakes.

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2013: Filibuster on John O. Brennan Nomination

On March 6-7, 2013, Rand Paul filibustered to delay the vote on John O. Brennan's nomination as Director of the CIA. Paul questioned the Obama administration's drone policy and its legal justification for potential use within the U.S., holding the floor for 12 hours and 52 minutes. He sought a pledge that non-combatants would not be targeted on U.S. soil, and Attorney General Eric Holder affirmed that the President is not authorized to deploy extrajudicial punishment without due process against non-combatant citizens. The filibuster ended with a cloture vote, and Brennan was later confirmed.

February 2014: Filed class action lawsuit

In February 2014, Rand Paul joined FreedomWorks in filing a class action lawsuit against the federal government's bulk collection of phone records metadata, arguing it violates the Fourth Amendment.

2014: Blames Iraq War supporters for violence growth

In 2014, Rand Paul blamed supporters of the Iraq War, not President Obama, for the increase in violence, stating the war "emboldened" Iran.

2014: Gave a speech at the University of California, Berkeley titled "The N.S.A. vs. Your Privacy"

In 2014, Rand Paul gave a speech at the University of California, Berkeley titled "The N.S.A. vs. Your Privacy", where he spoke against warrantless surveillance of Americans.

February 2, 2015: Remarks on vaccinations

On February 2, 2015, Rand Paul told conservative radio host Laura Ingraham that "most" vaccinations should be voluntary, sparking controversy. He suggested states should not mandate childhood vaccinations, asserting parents' freedom to choose. Later that day, in an interview with CNBC, Paul clarified he believed vaccines were "a good thing" but that parents should have input, as they, not the state, "own the children."

2015: Response to Supreme Court's redefinition of marriage

Following the Supreme Court's 2015 decision to legalize same-sex marriage, Rand Paul stated his disagreement with the redefinition of marriage but affirmed Americans' right to contract, emphasizing marriage as a local issue.

2015: Spoke against PATRIOT Act renewal

In 2015, Rand Paul spoke for ten and a half hours on the Senate floor against renewing provisions of the PATRIOT Act, citing constitutional concerns.

2016: Opposed US support for Saudi intervention in Yemen

In 2016, Rand Paul was among the first members of Congress to oppose United States support for the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen.

2016: Russian interference in the 2016 election

In 2016, shortly after 12 Russian intelligence officers have been charged with hacking and leaking emails of senior Democrats, Rand Paul described the Special Counsel investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election as a "witch hunt on the president".

March 2017: Introduced Stop Arming Terrorists Act

In March 2017, Rand Paul introduced the Stop Arming Terrorists Act to prohibit the use of United States government funds to provide assistance to certain terrorist organizations and countries supporting them. Also in March 2017, Senator John McCain accused Paul of being an agent of Vladimir Putin after Paul objected to adding Montenegro to NATO.

June 12, 2017: Opposed new sanctions on Russia and Iran

On June 12, 2017, Rand Paul, along with Bernie Sanders, opposed legislation imposing new sanctions on Russia and Iran.

June 2017: Tried to block weapon sales to Saudi Arabia

In June 2017, Rand Paul attempted to block the Trump administration's plan to sell more weapons to Saudi Arabia.

September 5, 2017: Paul responds to DACA rescission

On September 5, 2017, after the Trump administration announced the intended rescission of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, Rand Paul stated that the executive order that created DACA was illegal and that congressional bipartisanship was needed to solve or fix the program.

April 2018: Criticized U.S.-Saudi Arabia alliance

In April 2018, Rand Paul criticized the U.S.-Saudi Arabia alliance, stating that Saudi Arabia has funded radical madrassas and supplied arms to ISIS in the Syrian civil war.

July 2018: Described Special Counsel investigation as a 'witch hunt'

In July 2018, shortly after 12 Russian intelligence officers were charged with hacking and leaking emails of senior Democrats, Rand Paul described the Special Counsel investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election as a "witch hunt on the president".

August 2018: Traveled to Moscow and met with Russian senators

In August 2018, Rand Paul traveled to Moscow and met with several Russian senators, including Sergey Kislyak.

December 2018: Played down campaign finance violations

In December 2018, following court filings implicating President Trump in campaign finance violations, Rand Paul downplayed the alleged violations and said that they should not be "over-criminalized."

2018: Called for investigation of National Science Foundation grant

In 2018, Rand Paul called for an investigation of a National Science Foundation grant used to educate meteorologists about climate change, labeling it as propagandizing rather than science.

May 2019: Opposed subpoena of Donald Trump Jr.

In May 2019, Rand Paul opposed the Senate Intelligence Committee's decision to subpoena Donald Trump Jr. to testify about his involvement with Russians during the 2016 presidential campaign.

June 2019: Criticized Trump administration for escalating tensions with Iran

In June 2019, Rand Paul criticized the Trump administration for escalating tensions with Iran, stating that an Iran war would be a bigger mistake than the Iraq War.

July 17, 2019: Rand Paul blocks 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund renewal

On July 17, 2019, Rand Paul blocked Senator Kirsten Gillibrand's motion for unanimous consent on a bill renewing the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, seeking a vote on an amendment to offset the spending with cuts. This led to criticism from Jon Stewart and John Feal.

November 4, 2019: Paul calls for the revelation of Trump's Ukraine whistleblower

On November 4, 2019, Rand Paul urged the media to reveal the identity of the whistleblower in the Trump-Ukraine quid pro quo case, even threatening to reveal the name himself.

January 2020: Criticized U.S. airstrike on Baghdad

In January 2020, Rand Paul criticized the U.S. airstrike on Baghdad International Airport that resulted in the death of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, asserting it would increase tensions.

January 2020: Tweeted about climate alarmist predictions and creating atmospheres on moons/planets

In a January 2020 tweet, Rand Paul responded to climate alarmist predictions by suggesting humans will likely survive for millions of years and should focus on creating atmospheres on moons or planets.

February 2020: Paul Criticizes YouTube for Removing Impeachment Trial Video

In February 2020, Rand Paul criticized YouTube for removing a video of his floor speech about Donald Trump's impeachment trial, which contained a controversial question for Adam Schiff and counsel for the president.

February 26, 2020: Paul's Wife Purchases Stock in Gilead Sciences

On February 26, 2020, Rand Paul's wife purchased between $1,000 and $15,000 worth of stock in Gilead Sciences, a pharmaceutical company producing an antiviral drug for COVID-19, before the public fully understood the threat. This transaction was disclosed 16 months late.

September 23, 2020: Clash with Anthony Fauci

On September 23, 2020, at a Senate committee hearing, Rand Paul questioned Anthony Fauci about the CDC's COVID-19 mitigation recommendations, including mask-wearing and social distancing. Paul suggested New York's high fatality rate indicated insufficient mitigation, but Fauci countered that New York's success in controlling the virus was due to adhering to CDC guidelines.

December 2020: Paul claims 2020 election was stolen, later accepts Biden's electors

In December 2020, Rand Paul initially claimed the election "in many ways was stolen," before later accepting the state-certified electors that named Joe Biden.

2020: Paul refuses to accept Biden's victory in 2020 presidential election

After the 2020 presidential election, Rand Paul refused to accept Joe Biden's victory against Trump and falsely claimed that the election was "stolen".

2020: Held up bipartisan legislation to make lynching a federal crime

In 2020, Rand Paul held up bipartisan legislation aimed at making lynching a federal crime, seeking clarification on the definition of lynching concerning non-fatal injuries.

January 2021: Paul questions constitutionality of Trump's impeachment

In January 2021, Rand Paul questioned the constitutionality of Donald Trump's second impeachment trial, arguing it was unconstitutional because Trump had already left office. He introduced a motion to the Senate declaring the impeachment unconstitutional, which was defeated.

February 13, 2021: Paul votes against impeaching Trump

On February 13, 2021, Rand Paul formally voted against the charges in the second impeachment trial of Donald Trump.

May 28, 2021: Voted against creating an independent commission to investigate the 2021 United States Capitol attack

On May 28, 2021, Rand Paul voted against the creation of an independent commission to investigate the January 6, 2021, United States Capitol attack.

July 2021: Debate with Anthony Fauci on COVID-19 origins

In July 2021, Rand Paul debated Anthony Fauci on the origin of COVID-19 at Senate hearings. Fauci responded to Paul's allegations and called him a liar.

August 11, 2021: Disclosure of wife's investment

On August 11, 2021, Rand Paul disclosed that his wife, Kelley Paul, had purchased a stake in Gilead Sciences on February 26, 2020. Gilead Sciences manufactures an antiviral drug used to treat COVID-19.

August 2021: Suspension from YouTube

In August 2021, Rand Paul was suspended from YouTube for a week for violating its misinformation policy after publishing a video with false claims about mask effectiveness. He also released a video urging people to "resist" public health measures against COVID-19.

January 2022: Video resurfaces of Paul advising students to trick opponents

In January 2022, a video resurfaced from 2013 of Rand Paul advising medical students at the University of Louisville to "try to trick your opponents" because "misinformation works".

May 12, 2022: Stopped vote on $40 billion aid bill for Ukraine

On May 12, 2022, Rand Paul halted a vote on a $40 billion spending bill for aid to Ukraine, objecting to the size and frequency of such spending.

2025: Criticized Trump's statement on Gaza strip occupation

In 2025, after Donald Trump's announcement about "taking over the Gaza strip," Rand Paul criticized the statement on Twitter (now X), emphasizing the need for Israelis and Palestinians to pursue peace themselves.