Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) acknowledged Tuesday that he’s attended briefings on the National Security Agency’s sweeping surveillance programs, but rejected the notion that members of Congress are complicit for failing to raise objections.
Paul said that a gag rule precluded him from publicly discussing the programs.
“The most ridiculous thing I hear from people of this persuasion is politicians saying, ‘Oh, nobody was complaining,’” Paul said during an interview on “CBS This Morning.” “Well, you can’t complain because they put you in jail if you complain, or they don’t tell you if they’re investigating you.”
The junior senator from Kentucky said that he’s “reserving judgment” on Edward Snowden, the source of the the recent NSA leaks, but dismissed a question on whether the 29-year-old former government contractor is a hero or traitor as a “side point.”
