Rand Paul Blasts Trump’s Gaza Takeover Plan: ‘I thought we voted for America First’/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) strongly criticized President Donald Trump’s proposal for the U.S. to “take over” Gaza, calling it a betrayal of “America First” values. While some Republicans support Trump’s plan to redevelop Gaza, Paul warns it would lead to another costly occupation. Meanwhile, Democrats, including Rep. Rashida Tlaib, call the plan “ethnic cleansing”, while other Republicans, like Rep. Diana Harshbarger, praise Trump’s vision.
Trump’s Gaza Takeover Plan: Quick Looks
- Rand Paul Rejects U.S. Involvement: Calls the plan a violation of “America First” principles.
- Trump’s Vision for Gaza: Plans to clear the land, redevelop it, and provide jobs and housing.
- Republican Divide: Some GOP lawmakers back Trump, while others warn against another U.S. occupation.
- Democratic Outrage: Rep. Rashida Tlaib calls the plan “ethnic cleansing” and demands action.
- Rubio Backs Trump: Secretary of State Marco Rubio supports making “Gaza free from Hamas”.
Deep Look
President Donald Trump’s plan to “take over” Gaza has ignited a fierce debate in both political parties, with Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) leading Republican opposition and Democrats labeling the proposal a humanitarian disaster.
Rand Paul: ‘America First Means No Occupation’
Shortly after Trump’s remarks, Rand Paul took to X (formerly Twitter) to reject the idea, stating:
“The pursuit for peace should be that of the Israelis and the Palestinians. I thought we voted for America First. We have no business contemplating yet another occupation to doom our treasure and spill our soldiers’ blood.”
Paul’s opposition aligns with his long-standing stance against foreign intervention. The Kentucky senator warned against another costly U.S. occupation, directly contradicting Trump’s assertion that America will “own” Gaza and redevelop it.
Trump’s Proposal: ‘We Will Own Gaza’
- The U.S. would assume control of the region and remove unexploded weapons.
- Gaza would be “leveled” and rebuilt into a thriving economic hub.
- Palestinians would be resettled elsewhere, though Trump provided no specific details on where.
“The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip,” Trump said. “We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site. Level it out, create an economic development that will supply unlimited numbers of jobs.”
He even suggested the U.S. could maintain a long-term presence in the region:
“I do see a long-term ownership position.”
Rubio and Some Republicans Support Trump’s Plan
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has defended Trump’s Gaza strategy, stating:
“Gaza MUST BE FREE from Hamas. As @POTUS shared today, the United States stands ready to lead and Make Gaza Beautiful Again.”
Meanwhile, Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) praised Trump’s proposal, tweeting:
“This is what the leader of the free world looks like, folks. Promises made, promises kept.”
Democratic Backlash: ‘Ethnic Cleansing’
Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), the only Palestinian-American in Congress, called Trump’s plan a blatant attempt at ethnic cleansing.
“This president is openly calling for ethnic cleansing while sitting next to a genocidal war criminal,” Tlaib posted on X, referring to Netanyahu.
In another post, she urged Democrats to take action, stating:
“Palestinians aren’t going anywhere. This president can only spew this fanatical bulls— because of bipartisan support in Congress for funding genocide and ethnic cleansing.”
Tlaib has repeatedly clashed with Trump over U.S. policy in the Middle East, and her comments indicate a strong Democratic push against the proposal.
What’s Next?
With Republicans split and Democrats outraged, Trump’s Gaza takeover plan is likely to face legal, political, and international challenges. Key developments to watch:
- Will Trump move forward with his Gaza plans?
- How will U.S. allies, including Egypt and Jordan, respond?
- Will Congress intervene, or will Trump act unilaterally?
For now, Trump remains committed to his vision, even as opposition within his own party grows.
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