The Political Scene | The New Yorker Why Senator Rand Paul Voted to Limit Donald Trump’s War Powers
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Apr 27, 2026 
Rand Paul, Kentucky senator and libertarian-leaning Republican and former ophthalmologist, explains why he pushed to curb presidential war powers. He warns that religious rhetoric harms diplomacy. He critiques tariffs, questions sanctions strategy, and previews how he might run in 2028 while stressing fiscal restraint and opposition to perpetual wars.
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Save Face Enables Peace
- Diplomacy must leave an enemy a way to save face to make peace possible.
- Rand Paul warns that insults or framing conflict as religious (Christians vs Muslims) makes reconciliation far less likely.
Imminent Threat Is A Threshold For War
- The War Powers Act requires either congressional authorization, a declaration, or an imminent threat before going to war.
- Rand Paul says there was no evidence of an imminent threat from Iran and Congress had time to vote during the two-week military buildup.
Sanctions Work As Carrots Not Just Sticks
- Sanctions rarely change behavior when merely added; they work as leverage when offered for removal in exchange for compliance.
- Paul argues 'maximum pressure' miscalculated Iran and sanctions are effective only if convertible to carrots.