Rand Paul: People ‘eager for war’ shouldn’t be running State …

Sen. Rand PaulRandal (Rand) Howard PaulSenate approves .3 trillion spending bill, sending to Trump GOP senator threatened to hold up bill over provision to honor late political rival: report Conservatives balk over funding bill ahead of shutdown MORE (R-Ky.) on Sunday vowed to do whatever it takes to block President TrumpDonald John TrumpPoll: Both parties need to do more on drug prices Senate approves .3 trillion spending bill, sending to Trump White House: Trump will delay steel tariffs for EU, six countries MOREs picksfor secretary of State and CIA director.

I dont think you really want people who are eager for war to be running the State Department. You want a diplomat, Paul said on CNNs State of the Union, explaining why he opposes the nomination of Mike PompeoMichael (Mike) Richard PompeoDemocrats lay into Trump's pick of Bolton for national security adviser Dem senator on Bolton hire: Trump is 'lining up his war cabinet' Trump replaces McMaster with Bolton as national security adviser MORE.

I frankly think that Pompeos positions are too much of an advocate for regime change, really everywhere, he said. I dont think our policy ought to be for regime change, so I think Pompeo really isnt a good fit to be a diplomat, he added.

Paul has said he will oppose both nominations. In Haspel's case, Paul opposes her appointment due to her involvement in the enhanced interrogation program during the George W. Bush administration.

Paul said during a separate interview on CBS's "Face the Nation" that there is no evidence [Haspel] was protesting against torture, and theres every evidence she was covering it up.

He added that the U.S. should set an example for the world, and should not have someone who condoned torture leading the CIA.

Paul onCNN vowed to do whatever it takes to stop Pompeos and Haspels nominations, including launching a filibuster. He said hes hopeful his actions will send a message to the American people, who will in turn oppose the nominations.

Paul's defection could force Republicans to rely on Vice President Pence, or Democrats, to getPompeo through the full Senate. Assuming every Republican senator but Paul supports Pompeo, as they did for his current CIA post, and every Democrat opposes, the Senate would be split 50-50.

In Haspel's case, no Democrats have formally said they will oppose her, but several have raised concerns about her involvement in the interrogation program.

This report was updated at 11:03 a.m.

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Rand Paul: People 'eager for war' shouldn't be running State ...

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