Sen. Rand Paul’s (R-KY) memorable filibuster on the Senate floor over the administration’s drone policy in the United States won him many fans earlier this year, on the left and on the right.
So it was peculiar when the Kentucky libertarian suggested that, following the dramatic capture of the remaining Boston bombing suspect last week, the government should employ drones against the nation’s criminals.
“I’ve never argued against any technology being used when you have an imminent threat, an active crime going on,” Paul said Monday on Fox News Business. “If someone comes out of a liquor store with a weapon and $50 in cash, I don’t care if a drone kills him or a policeman kills him.
“But it’s different if they want to fly over your hot tub or your yard just because they want to do surveillance on everyone, and they want to watch your activities,” he added.
In a statement released Wednesday, Paul said that his comments left a “mistaken impression” of his actual position on the subject.
“Armed drones should not be used in normal crime situations,” he said. “They may only be considered in extraordinary, lethal situations where there is an ongoing, imminent threat. I described that scenario previously during my Senate filibuster. Additionally, surveillance drones should only be used with warrants and specific targets.”
Watch Paul’s interview on Fox News business below:
