Rand Paul Questions U.S. Use of Deadly Force on Alleged Drug Boats Without Evidence

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Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) is raising pointed concerns about recent actions by the U.S. military targeting vessels alleged to be drug-smuggling boats—actions carried out under the administration of Donald Trump. On a recent broadcast of Rob Schmitt Tonight on Newsmax, Paul asked: when survivors of these boat strikes are repatriated to their home countries, why aren’t they being tried for drug crimes—especially when the administration labels the boats as part of a narcotics-trafficking war effort?

“We don’t try them for drug crimes or we don’t even keep them. We’ve been sending them back.” Paul said. “We have no evidence of who they are, other than an accusation that they are drug dealers.”

He pointed to recent repatriations: survivors returned to Colombia and Ecuador, with no public presentation of evidence that the individuals were armed drug traffickers or that contraband was recovered.

Paul’s critique aligns with a broader legal debate: the proper balance between aggressive counter-narcotics operations and the protections afforded by due process and international law.

Since early September 2025, the U.S. military has carried out at least eight strikes (by some counts more) on vessels in the Caribbean Sea, and more recently in the Eastern Pacific, which the Trump administration says were “narco-trafficking” vessels engaged in a war-like conflict with U.S. interests.

It’s significant that Rand Paul is breaking with other Republicans on this issue—even though he has been broadly supportive of President Trump in many other areas.

His criticism of the strikes also places him at odds with voices in the party who argue that aggressive action against drug-trafficking boats is necessary to protect American lives and national security. For example, Vice President J.D. Vance recently defended such actions as “the highest and best use of our military.”

Senator Rand Paul isn’t defending drug traffickers—far from it. His concern is how the U.S. is conducting operations against them. He argues that even in the fight against narcotics, the U.S. must preserve its legal traditions: identifying suspects, gathering evidence, charging them criminally, or if using force, clearly defining wartime status and oversight.

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr

JD Vance Attacks Thomas Massie—But It’s Massie Who Truly Represents ‘America First’

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Vice President JD Vance took aim at Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie this week, accusing him of being “unwilling to provide” key votes for the Republican Party and claiming that his independent streak has alienated party leadership. But the truth is, Massie’s record shows he’s one of the few remaining members of Congress who actually embodies the America First values many politicians merely campaign on.

Speaking at a Turning Point USA event at the University of Mississippi, Vance told the crowd that “every time Republicans have needed Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) for a vote, he has been completely unwilling to provide it.” He added that Massie “always votes against the party,” suggesting that this is why President Trump has backed a primary challenger against him.

“It’s because we can never count on him for some of the most difficult votes,” Vance said. “I wish that that weren’t the case. I say that as somebody who’s known Thomas well before I got into politics, but politics is politics.”

But that criticism misunderstands what America First was supposed to mean. The slogan wasn’t about blind loyalty to party leadership or corporate donors—it was about defending American sovereignty, fighting corruption, rejecting endless wars, and protecting the rights and livelihoods of ordinary citizens. And on those fronts, Massie has delivered time and again.

In response to Vance’s remarks, Massie fired back with his willingness to stand alone when principles are at stake:

“When leaders of my own party protect sex traffickers, spend our grandkids into oblivion, fund endless wars, lockdown our citizens, bailout corporations, bow to other countries, and hurt small farmers… it’s true that I won’t be their yes man.”

That post, shared on X, was a direct shot at the political establishment—including within his own party—that has too often prioritized power and profit over the people they serve.

Massie has long been one of the few voices in Congress willing to challenge bipartisan corruption and globalist influence. He voted against massive omnibus spending bills that plunged the country deeper into debt, opposed military interventions that had no clear benefit to America, and called for the full release of the Jeffrey Epstein files—a move that few in either party have supported.

In another recent X post, Massie pointed out that Congress has been actively avoiding accountability on the Epstein issue:

“This is a victory for victims. However, it appears that rich and powerful men in the United States have immunities and privileges exceeding those of Royalty in Britain. @SpeakerJohnson is avoiding a vote on releasing Epstein files by keeping the House in recess. It’s not a hoax.”

JD Vance’s criticism of Massie reveals a troubling shift in what the so-called America First movement has come to represent. Once rooted in anti-establishment populism, it now risks devolving into the very kind of political machine it was meant to oppose—demanding conformity instead of courage.

Massie, by contrast, has consistently fought to keep government accountable and restrained. He has resisted trillion-dollar spending packages, opposed corporate bailouts, and fought against unconstitutional lockdowns—all while refusing to sell out his convictions for political favor.

His independence isn’t betrayal—it’s integrity. It’s exactly what millions of voters wanted when they rejected the swamp in 2016.

Thomas Massie may not be the GOP’s “yes man.” But that’s precisely why so many Americans trust him more than the ones who are.

Photo credit: Flickr

WATCH: Joe’s Analysis of the Week’s Top Stories

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Here’s a quick video summary of this week’s top stories with Joe’s analysis of each one:

Please do not forget to subscribe HERE!

VIDEO UPDATE FROM JOE MILLER: Blacklisted Again, Restoring Liberty Fights On

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UPDATE: We want to thank all of our loyal readers who have contributed so far! We’re at a little over 5% of our goal. If you have not contributed to this first fundraiser in two years, we would be incredibly grateful for any donation. You can donate HERE or HERE. We will apply your donations to accrued operating expenses first, and then to our future operations. Thank you for standing with us!

For over 20 years, Restoring Liberty has been your trusted source for fiercely independent, bold content, delivering truth that Big Tech and mainstream media often suppress. We were one of the first websites censored and demonetized by Google. Facebook killed our algorithm so no one would see our stories. And YouTube stripped us of revenue. All of this started over ten years ago because, apparently, our content is just too dangerous for you to read.

Incredibly, the attacks have continued. Most recently, our fundraising platform blacklisted us, halting donations for the past year. This has strained our ability to host our website and send you daily emails.

Despite the lack of funding, we’ve kept fighting. And now, we’ve partnered with GiveSendGo so you can help us in this fight. To donate at GiveSendGo, please click HERE. To use your credit/debit card or PayPal, please click HERE. If you prefer CashApp, our donation ID is $RestoringLiberty. If using Venmo, our donation ID is @RealRestoringLiberty. Finally, if you would prefer to donate by mail, please send your contributions to: Restoring Liberty, POB 83440, Fairbanks, AK 99708.

Your generous contribution, no matter the size, will keep our servers running, emails flowing, and bold content thriving into 2026 and beyond. We’re aiming for $25,000 to cover these essentials and continue our mission. Every dollar strengthens our fight for truth and free speech.

Donate HERE or HERE today and stand with us in Restoring Liberty’s 21st year!

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Kid Rock Shocks Jesse Watters Into Fit Of Laughter When He Reveals Halloween Costume

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Singer Kid Rock sent Fox News host Jesse Watters into a fit of laughter during his Oct. 23 on-air interview after declaring he’s dressing as a “retard” for Halloween.

The two bantered back and forth about the political landscape in what appeared to be a typical conversation before the famous rocker changed the tone entirely. Kid Rock asked Watters what he planned to dress-up as for Halloween.

“So my whole family is doing Scooby-Doo. My son’s going to be Scooby-Doo,” the host replied, going on to explain what his costume would look like. Kid Rock then floored him with his bizarre costume idea.

After briefly discussing his family’s costume ideas, Waters said, “I’m Shaggy.”

“So, I’m gonna kind of dress like you — big, baggy clothes, I got long hair — just gonna have a little flask while I walk around …” Waters said as the the legendary singer laughed.

Kid Rock promptly pulled out a face mask, casually put it over his face and said “Guess what I’m gonna be — guess what I’m gonna be?” (Read more from “Kid Rock Shocks Jesse Watters Into Fit Of Laughter When He Reveals Halloween Costume” HERE)

Photo credit: Flickr

Trump Says He’s ‘Just Going to Kill People’ Who Are Allegedly Trafficking Drugs Abroad: ‘They’re Going to Be, Like, Dead’

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Amid deadly strikes on alleged drug traffickers in the Caribbean and East Pacific, President Donald Trump is vowing that his administration will continue to attack drug cartels both on land and at sea — without a declaration of war from Congress.

While speaking to reporters on Thursday, Oct. 23, Trump addressed the flow of illegal drugs into the U.S., claiming that his administration’s actions had reduced illegal drug imports by sea to “less than 5%” of what they were before.

Now, Trump says his administration will turn its attention to drugs entering the country by land.

“The land is going to be next,” Trump said. “And we may go to the Senate, we may go to the, you know, Congress and tell them about it, but I can’t imagine they would have any problem with it. I think, in fact, while we’re here, if you go to Congress and you tell them about it, what are they going to do? Say, ‘We don’t want to stop drugs pouring in.’ “ . . .

When asked by a reporter why he would not request a formal declaration of war from Congress, Trump said, “I’m not going to necessarily ask for a declaration of war. I think we’re just going to kill people that are bringing drugs into our country. Okay? We’re going to kill them, you know, they’re going to be, like, dead.” (Read more from “Trump Says He’s ‘Just Going to Kill People’ Who Are Allegedly Trafficking Drugs Abroad: ‘They’re Going to Be, Like, Dead’” HERE)

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr

Rand Paul Says Trump’s Strikes on Suspected Drug Boats Are Illegal

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Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) on Sunday told NBC’s Meet the Press that President Donald Trump’s recent military strikes against vessels the administration says were used to traffic drugs in the Caribbean are unlawful and set a dangerous precedent. Paul argued that the strikes — which the White House has framed as part of a campaign against narcotics trafficking — “go against all of our tradition” and lack the due-process and legal foundations normally required before lethal force is used outside of declared war.

“When you kill someone if you’re not in war, and not in a declared war, you really need to know someone’s name, at least. … All of these people have been blown up without us knowing their name and without evidence of a crime,” Paul told host Kristen Welker. He added that long-standing maritime practice is to board and search suspect vessels, not destroy them from the air, and warned that treating suspected smugglers as combatants could produce widespread wrongful deaths.

The U.S. has conducted multiple strikes in recent weeks against boats and a submersible the administration says were carrying narcotics, including fentanyl. U.S. officials say the actions are necessary to disrupt transnational trafficking networks; critics say the strikes have killed civilians and were carried out without adequate evidence tying the victims to cartel leadership or an imminent threat to the United States. Reports indicate at least several dozen people have died in strikes across the Caribbean region, and some survivors have been taken into U.S. custody.

International and regional leaders have also pushed back. Colombia recalled its ambassador amid disputes over one strike in Colombian waters that officials say killed a fisherman, while Caribbean governments and human-rights advocates have questioned the intelligence and legal rationale offered by Washington. Legal scholars have told reporters that using military force against suspected smugglers far from U.S. territory raises thorny questions about the law of armed conflict, sovereignty, and due process.

Paul contrasted wartime rules — where combatants may be targeted without individualized criminal charges — with peacetime law enforcement, which requires evidence, identification and often arrests followed by prosecution. “If our policy now is to blow up every ship we suspect or accuse of drug running, that would be a bizarre world in which 25% of the people might be innocent,” he said, referencing Coast Guard statistics about drug interdictions to underscore the risk of killing noncombatants. He urged Congress to weigh in rather than leaving such actions solely to the president.

The administration has defended the strikes as necessary and proportionate efforts to stop the flow of fentanyl and other deadly drugs into the United States, and the president has publicly framed drug cartels as enemies warranting hardline military responses. Supporters argue the actions target transnational criminal networks that threaten American lives and that new tactics are needed to stop evolving smuggling methods. But the escalating use of force has prompted bipartisan unease in Congress and renewed debate over the executive branch’s authority to order cross-border kinetic operations absent formal declarations of war.

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr

Leftist Protesters Spotted Wearing Frog, Cat, Dinosaur Costumes at ‘No Kings’ Protests

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Leftist protesters were spotted wearing inflatable frog, cat and dinosaur costumes during “No Kings” protests held at various locations around the United States on Saturday.

In a video posted to X by USA Today, one person was seen wearing a Halloween-like mask while holding a sign with the words, “It’d be less scary with us in office instead.” Behind that person was someone wearing a skull ghost Halloween mask.

Two people wearing inflatable dinosaur costumes with pink “No Kings” signs were also seen in the video.

In the video, another person can be seen wearing an inflatable cat costume.

(Read more from “Leftist Protesters Spotted Wearing Frog, Cat, Dinosaur Costumes at ‘No Kings’ Protests” HERE)

Order Mix-Up Sparks Bloody, 7-Person Brawl Inside Texas Whataburger

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A beef over a food order mix-up sparked a vicious, seven-person brawl inside a Texas Whataburger last week, according to reports and authorities.

Police were dispatched to the San Antonio Whataburger just after 3 a.m. last Sunday in response to the wild melee, the San Antonio Police Department told KSAT.

After cops arrived, they learned an order mix-up caused the fight to erupt among two groups of patrons, authorities said.

A viral video posted to social media after the incident captured separate fights breaking out within the group, where individuals were seen pummeling and kicking others to the floor.

Pictures of the aftermath showed blood covering the booths and floor of the fast food chain.

(Read more from “Order Mix-Up Sparks Bloody, 7-Person Brawl Inside Texas Whataburger” HERE)

Photo credit: Flickr

Questions Arise Over Alleged Google Searches Before Charlie Kirk Killing

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In the days following the shocking murder of right-wing podcaster Charlie Kirk, social media has become a breeding ground for speculation — and now, one particularly unusual theory is gaining attention online.

While rumors about who ordered or carried out Kirk’s killing have ranged from political plots to faked-death claims, this new theory doesn’t focus on the people directly involved. Instead, it looks at Google search data — and suggests that someone may have known about the alleged killer, Tyler James Robinson, before Kirk’s death.

The Google Trends Conspiracy Theory

The theory began circulating on TikTok, where a creator claimed that Google Trends data shows an odd pattern of searches leading up to the tragedy. According to the video, Kirk was murdered on September 10, 2025, but there were Google searches for “Tyler James Robinson” from the Washington, D.C. metro area a full day earlier — on September 9, 2025.

@5149jamesli

This is probably nothing… 🤷‍♂️

♬ Mysterious and sad BGM(1120058) – S and N

That’s significant because the public didn’t learn Robinson’s name until September 11 and 12, after authorities identified him as the suspect. The TikToker shared screenshots purporting to show a small spike in searches for Robinson before his name was publicly known, suggesting that someone “knew” about him in advance.

The theory also claims there was a small spike in searches for “Losee Center” — the building where Robinson allegedly took aim at Kirk — on September 8, two days before the shooting.

Adding another twist, the TikToker alleged that a rare firearm used in the killing also saw an unexplained surge in searches on August 27, again traced to the Washington, D.C. area.

Missing Data Raises More Questions

However, when users tried to verify these claims, they hit a roadblock. The TikToker who shared the theory claimed that the graphs they used in their video — supposedly screenshots of historical Google Trends data — “no longer appear.”

Independent checks confirm that these specific search trends do not currently show up on Google Trends. Whether the data ever existed or was fabricated remains unclear.

Still, that hasn’t stopped people from speculating. Some users believe the data was “scrubbed” after drawing too much attention, while others think the entire claim was built on doctored screenshots.

Online Reactions and Skepticism

Another pushed back, arguing that the supposed screenshots don’t match Google’s actual Trends design, colors, or font. “The graphs are fake,” they wrote.

But not everyone is convinced they’re fake. One user claiming to have over a decade of experience in Google search analytics responded, “Only the red frame was added, in my opinion. My expertise is 13 years of Google search marketing.”

The data cited in the viral TikTok video cannot be independently confirmed, and Google has not made any statements about it.

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr