“Kentucky Republican Senator Rand Paul has once again broken ranks with President Donald Trump—this time slamming the president’s heavy-handed use of tariffs on foreign imports as a tactic to pressure other nations into signing trade deals more favorable to the U.S.”
Let me know if you’d like it to sound more formal, more critical, or tailored for a specific audience.
Rand Paul Clashes with Trump Over Tariffs, Sparks GOP Rift
Senator Rand Paul is once again taking aim at former President Donald Trump—this time criticizing his aggressive use of tariffs, which Paul argues violate the Constitution.
In a post on X, the Kentucky Republican said that while tariffs may be used to influence foreign policy, they ultimately function as taxes—and under the Constitution, only Congress has the authority to impose new taxes. “The Constitution clearly states that Congress, not the president, has the power of the purse,” Paul wrote. “All new taxes (which is what a tariff is) are supposed to originate in the House of Representatives before going to the Senate for approval.”
While Paul insists that Trump’s approach oversteps executive authority, the Trump administration and most Republicans argue that tariffs are a legitimate tool of foreign policy—firmly within the president’s jurisdiction. Over the years, Congress has also granted presidents emergency powers to implement tariffs unilaterally, a precedent Trump leaned on in April when he declared a national economic emergency. “Foreign trade and economic practices have created a national emergency,” the White House stated at the time, justifying new tariffs as a means to protect American workers and bolster the nation’s economic position.
Paul’s criticism came just ahead of a Senate vote to overturn what Trump dubbed the “Liberation Day” tariffs. Though the measure ultimately failed in a 49–49 tie, Paul joined moderate Republicans Susan Collins (Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) in siding with Democrats. The effort was narrowly thwarted by GOP leadership, aided by the absence of Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), who was returning from South Korea. Retiring Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell—an outspoken Trump critic—did not vote but reiterated his opposition to tariffs. “He believes that tariffs are a tax increase on everybody,” his office stated.
The White House also made it clear: Trump would veto the resolution if it ever reached his desk.
The failed resolution was part of a broader push by Democrats to challenge Trump’s authority to unilaterally impose tariffs, which they say is driving up prices for American consumers. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) triggered the vote by invoking a legislative mechanism that allows Congress to challenge national emergency declarations directly.
According to Axios, this episode is further exposing deep divisions within the GOP—particularly over economic policy and the extent of presidential power. “I think these are more symbolic votes that Democrats are trying to engineer,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said, adding that Republicans are giving Trump time to secure more favorable trade deals.
Still, Paul insists the debate is far from over.
“It’s a conversation worth having,” he told Axios. “If we see massive tariffs go into effect, the stock market sell off, and weak economic growth in the next quarter, people will be asking: ‘Is this good policy—or a mistake?’”
