OPINION | Sen. Rand Paul: 16 years on, it’s past time to bring our troops home from Afghanistan – The Hill (blog)
The Trump administration is increasing the number of troops in Afghanistan and, by doing so, keeping us involved even longer in a 16-year-old war that has long since gone past its time.
The mission in Afghanistan has lost its purpose, and I think it is a terrible idea to send any more troops into that war. Its time to come home now.
But as is typical, there was significant mission creep in Afghanistan. We went from striking back against those who attacked us, to regime change, to nation-building, to policing their country for them. And we do it all now with an authorization that is flimsy at best, with the reason blurred, and the costs now known. We do it with an authorization that was debated and passed before some of our newest military personnel were out of diapers. This isnt fair to them, to the American people, or to a rational foreign policy.
The Afghanistan war going beyond its original mission has an enormous cost. First and most important is the cost to our troops. Deaths, injuries and unnecessary deployments causing harm to families are certainly the most important reason as to why you dont go to wars that arent necessary.
Then comes the taxpayer. We have spent over $1 trillion in Afghanistan, and nearly $5 trillion on Middle East wars in the past 15 years. Would we not be better off with $5 trillion less in debt or using these funds in other, more productive ways?
Nation-building should not be our job, and it has consistently been a fools errand for us, particularly in this region. There is no reason to believe we can do it in Afghanistan, and certainly no reason to believe we can do it without a permanent, costly presence in the country.
So I strongly disagree with the administrations actions here. Ive spoken to the president, and I know he wants to end this war. Weve all heard him say it. But talk wont get it done. Although Ive been informed that the president rejected larger expansions of troops than the one announced this week, thats not good enough. He should have rejected this one and stuck to his principles. He knows this war is over, and he unlike the last two presidents should have the guts to end it for real, on his watch.
Regardless of the argument over the number of troops, I also will insist my colleagues take up a larger argument over the power to declare war. I believe we have allowed the executive to exercise far too much power in recent years.
This is one of the reasons I objected just before the recess when the Senate moved to consider the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). I have an amendment that I will insist be considered that would repeal the 2001 AUMF on Afghanistan. That AUMF is outdated, overcome by events, and provides a feeble bit of cover for people who still want to be there.
If the president and my colleagues want to continue the war in Afghanistan, then at the very least Congress should vote on it. Ill insist they do this fall, and Ill be leading the charge for no.
Paul is the junior senator from Kentucky.
The views expressed by this author are their own and are not the views of The Hill.
Continued here:
OPINION | Sen. Rand Paul: 16 years on, it's past time to bring our troops home from Afghanistan - The Hill (blog)
- TikTok ban is a First Amendment case, Rand Paul explains - Fox Business - January 11th, 2025 [January 11th, 2025]
- Chairman Rand Paul - Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs - January 11th, 2025 [January 11th, 2025]
- Dr. Rand Paul, Sen. Rick Scott Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Lock The Clock - Senator Rand Paul - January 11th, 2025 [January 11th, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul: If There Is An Attempt To Raise The Debt Ceiling, I Will Not Vote For The Bill - RealClearPolitics - January 11th, 2025 [January 11th, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul Opposes Attaching Debt Limit To Trump's Agenda - Inkl - January 11th, 2025 [January 11th, 2025]
- 'Just Sort Of An Insult': When Rand Paul Grilled Archivist Nominee During Homeland Security Hearing - MSN - January 3rd, 2025 [January 3rd, 2025]
- Rand Paul, Thomas Massie oppose Mike Johnson for Speaker, Massie says; 'Nothing left to lose' - The Hill - January 3rd, 2025 [January 3rd, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul pledges to get Trumps cabinet picks approved as quickly as possible - Yahoo! Voices - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Rand Paul suggests replacing Mike Johnson with Elon Musk as Speaker of the House - Fox News - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Sen. Rand Paul floats Government Shutdown Prevention Act as amendment to H.R. 82 - Kentucky Today - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- MTG and Rand Paul float Elon Musk for speaker of the House - Business Insider - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Media Miss by the Left: Rand Paul's annual Festivus report highlights $1 trillion in government spending - Straight Arrow News - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Rand Paul, in His Annual Festivus Celebration, Airs His Grievances About Government Spending in 2024 - The New York Sun - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Rand Paul blocks bill to authorize local, state authorities to track drones - The Hill - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Rand Paul blocks bill responding to drone sightings: Shouldn't rush to grant 'sweeping surveillance powers' - Fox News - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- When Rand Paul Got Into Heated Exchange With Former NIH Official Over COVID-19 - MSN - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Rand Paul on spending bill battle: Do we want government to be bigger or smaller? - Fox Business - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Rand Paul uncovers $15 million taxpayer-funded cat experiments - Washington Examiner - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Rand Paul says he will support raising debt ceiling if government reform happens - MSN - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Rand Paul Suggests Worst Person You Know Should Be Next House Speaker - The New Republic - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Sen. Rand Paul: I Would Agree To Raise Debt Ceiling If We Actually Have A Plan To Cut Spending - RealClearPolitics - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Rand Paul seeks to press Fauci on gain-of-function research with new chairmanship - Washington Examiner - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Rand Paul Says Mike Johnson Will be 'Gone' in Annual 'Festivus' Report - MSN - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Rand Paul on spending bill battle: Do we want government to be bigger or smaller? - MSN - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Rand Paul blocks Schumer bill on mystery drone detection - Washington Examiner - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Senator Rand Paul on the CR, Elon for Speaker and a Pardon for Fauci? - The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Rand Paul Brutally Shreds Mike Johnson Over Spending Bill - The New Republic - December 18th, 2024 [December 18th, 2024]
- A Weak, Weak Man: Rand Paul Obliterates Speaker Johnson Says His Budget Bill Will Help Cause the U.S. Dollar to Fail - Mediaite - December 18th, 2024 [December 18th, 2024]
- Rand Paul Claims Biden Spends Billions on Magic and Ice Skating Drag Queens - Yahoo News - December 18th, 2024 [December 18th, 2024]
- Sen. Rand Paul reveals shocking government spending - MSN - December 18th, 2024 [December 18th, 2024]
- Sen. Rand Paul reveals shocking government spending - Fox News - December 14th, 2024 [December 14th, 2024]
- Sen. Rand Paul introduces bipartisan bill that will provide due process protections to property owners - Kentucky Today - December 14th, 2024 [December 14th, 2024]
- Best of the Program | Guests: Sen. Rand Paul & Randy Clark | 12/9/24 - iHeartRadio - December 14th, 2024 [December 14th, 2024]
- Rand Paul looking to address national debt, inflation in the next year - WHOP - December 14th, 2024 [December 14th, 2024]
- Senator Rand Paul urges immediate US troop withdrawal from Syria - Al Mayadeen English - December 14th, 2024 [December 14th, 2024]
- Rand Paul demands removal of 900 US troops from Syria: I agree with President Trump - The Hill - December 14th, 2024 [December 14th, 2024]
- Rand Paul GOES OFF on Rumor that Biden Will Pardon Dr. Fauci | NewsRadio WFLA | The Glenn Beck Program - NewsRadio WFLA - December 14th, 2024 [December 14th, 2024]
- Best of the Program | Guests: Sen. Rand Paul & Randy Clark | 12/9/24 - The Glenn Beck Program - iHeartRadio - December 14th, 2024 [December 14th, 2024]
- Gerth: How I miss the days when Rand Paul was the crazy one in Washington | Opinion - Courier Journal - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Rand Paul gets mixed up on the right side of history - Baptist News Global - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Its Illegal: Rand Paul Breaks With Trump on Two Key Campaign Promises - The Daily Beast - November 30th, 2024 [November 30th, 2024]
- Sen. Rand Paul says he "will not support" use of military in Trump's planned deportations - CBS News - November 30th, 2024 [November 30th, 2024]
- Sen. Rand Paul opposes use of military for planned deportations - Spectrum News 1 - November 30th, 2024 [November 30th, 2024]
- Sen. Rand Paul opposes use of military for deportations, says its illegal - Straight Arrow News - November 30th, 2024 [November 30th, 2024]
- Rand Paul claims feds refusing to hand over docs that unlock origins of COVID-19 but Trump may change that - New York Post - November 30th, 2024 [November 30th, 2024]
- Its Illegal: Rand Paul Breaks With Trump on Two Key Administration Promises - Yahoo! Voices - November 30th, 2024 [November 30th, 2024]
- Rand Paul Warns the Mayor of Denver Could Be Removed from Office if He Blocks Trumps Mass Deportations - Mediaite - November 30th, 2024 [November 30th, 2024]
- Rand Paul suggests Denver mayor opposing deportations is a form of insurrection - Washington Examiner - November 30th, 2024 [November 30th, 2024]
- Rand Paul: Denver Mayor Will Likely Be Removed From Office If He Obstructs ICE - The Daily Wire - November 30th, 2024 [November 30th, 2024]
- Its Illegal: Rand Paul Breaks With Trump on Two Key Campaign Promises - MSN - November 30th, 2024 [November 30th, 2024]
- Republican Rand Paul opposes Trump talk of using military in deportations - MSN - November 30th, 2024 [November 30th, 2024]
- Senator Rand Paul Introduces HEMP Act, Which Would Amend the Definition of Hemp - Cannabis Science and Technology - October 4th, 2024 [October 4th, 2024]
- I blame all 'left-wing' outlets for promoting the idea that Trump is ending democracy: Sen. Rand Paul - Fox News - September 22nd, 2024 [September 22nd, 2024]
- Dr. Rand Paul Introduces Six Penny Plan to Balance the Federal Budget in Five Years - Senator Rand Paul - September 22nd, 2024 [September 22nd, 2024]
- Rand Paul is right Congress should reclaim its tariff policy authority - Washington Examiner - September 22nd, 2024 [September 22nd, 2024]
- Dr. Rand Paul Celebrates Constitution Day with the No Taxation Without Representation Act - Senator Rand Paul - September 22nd, 2024 [September 22nd, 2024]
- Dr. Rand Paul and Rep. Kat Cammack Introduce REINS Act to Put Power Back in the People's Hands - Senator Rand Paul - September 22nd, 2024 [September 22nd, 2024]
- Rand Paul Calls CNN, MSNBC Part of Incitement to Violence: Need To Tone Down Their Rhetoric - Mediaite - September 22nd, 2024 [September 22nd, 2024]
- KOSA Moves Forward in Congress, Threatening Free Speech and Encryption - Reason - July 30th, 2024 [July 30th, 2024]
- Gov. Andy Beshear, Sen. Rand Paul speak at Veterans of Foreign Wars National Convention - WHAS11.com - July 30th, 2024 [July 30th, 2024]
- Matt Strickland Archives - PotomacLocal.com - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Sen. Paul introduces bill to lift federal antitrust regulations on local news outlet ownership - Just The News - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Members of Kentucky Congressional Delegation Support Governor's Request for Federal Major Disaster Declaration - Senator Rand Paul - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Dr. Paul introduces act to preserve local news and broadcast media - wnky.com - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Rand Paul Calls Out Fox Host for 'Lying' About TikTok Ban - The Daily Beast - March 15th, 2024 [March 15th, 2024]
- Sen. Rand Paul might stand in the way of House TikTok bill - The Washington Post - March 15th, 2024 [March 15th, 2024]
- Rand Paul gets in heated debate over ownership of TikTok parent company ByteDance - Washington Examiner - March 15th, 2024 [March 15th, 2024]
- Breonna Taylor Act to be reintroduced by Rand Paul, Morgan McGarvey - WLKY Louisville - March 15th, 2024 [March 15th, 2024]
- Dr. Paul to Reintroduce Justice for Breonna Taylor Act with Rep. McGarvey Introducing House Version - Senator Rand Paul - March 15th, 2024 [March 15th, 2024]
- A look at the bipartisan effort to ban no-knock warrants - Spectrum News 1 - March 15th, 2024 [March 15th, 2024]
- Senate panel advances bill to ban some Chinese biotechs, with Sen. Paul taking up industry's cause - STAT - March 7th, 2024 [March 7th, 2024]
- Rand Paul celebrates Haleys departure from presidential race: Its about time - Washington Examiner - March 7th, 2024 [March 7th, 2024]
- Rand Paul comes out swinging against COVID response in speechand - Camarillo Acorn - March 2nd, 2024 [March 2nd, 2024]
- RFK Jr. Wants Rand Paul To Be The Next Republican Leader of the U.S. Senate - NewBostonPost - NewBostonPost - March 2nd, 2024 [March 2nd, 2024]
- Senator Rand Paul seeks to block Biden sale of F-16s to Turkey Public Radio of Armenia - Public Radio of Armenia Official Web site - March 2nd, 2024 [March 2nd, 2024]
- Senate to Vote on Dr. Paul's Resolution Rejecting the Sale of U.S. Arms to Hamas Advocate - Senator Rand Paul - March 2nd, 2024 [March 2nd, 2024]
- Rand Paul was right: Most voters want to protect our border before Ukraines - Washington Examiner - February 25th, 2024 [February 25th, 2024]
- Rand Paul could travel to New Hampshire as part of anti-Nikki Haley crusade - Washington Examiner - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- Chris Sununu's anonymity and envy of Rand Paul - Washington Examiner - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- Sen. Rand Paul starts a new PAC: '#Never Nikki' - Must Read Alaska - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]