Sen. Rand Paul on Sunday said heated political rhetoric has escalated to dangerous levels across both political parties, adding that Republicans must make room for independent voices as internal tensions continue to surface.
Appearing on CBS News’ "Face the Nation," Paul condemned what he described as irresponsible language from all sides — including recent online statements by President Donald Trump against Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., who has announced she is stepping down in January.
"Calling your opponents traitors and then specifically saying that it warrants the death penalty is reckless, inappropriate, and irresponsible," the Kentucky Republican said.
Paul, who has himself been the target of violence and swatting attempts, said the threat environment has worsened for lawmakers across the political spectrum.
He cited recent swatting incidents involving Republican state legislators in Indiana and the arrest of a pardoned Jan. 6 protester accused of threatening House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
“I’ve been on the receiving side of this,” Paul said, noting that his retired father, Ron Paul, has also been targeted. “The language on treason and traitors to Republicans and Democrats is reckless.”
The senator also addressed recent comments from Greene, who said she would step back from her public role after political backlash.
Paul said Greene’s departure would be a loss for the party’s internal debate.
“I am sad to see her voice go away, or potentially go away,” he said, adding that Greene had raised legitimate questions about the GOP’s lack of a unified healthcare proposal.
Paul said he has also been pressing President Trump on healthcare reform and promoting his own proposal to let Americans buy insurance through collectives, including retailers such as Costco, Sam’s Club, and Amazon.
"Mine is the only plan that would drive prices down," he said.
More broadly, Paul said the Republican Party must make space for dissenting viewpoints and unconventional policy ideas.
"Independent voices are important in the Republican Party, not to see things always inside the box but to think of out-of-the-box solutions," Paul said.
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