Staff Reports
Senator Rand Paul unleashed a fiery interrogation of State Department nominee Joel Rayburn during a Senate confirmation hearing. The Kentucky Republican demanded answers about Rayburn’s ties to former Syria envoy James Jeffrey, who admitted hiding U.S. troop numbers in Syria from President Trump. Paul called Jeffrey’s actions “tantamount to treason,” accusing him of sabotaging Trump’s America First agenda through deceit.
The bombshell hearing exposed how career bureaucrats manipulated military data to keep troops in Syria against Trump’s orders. Jeffrey bragged about playing “shell games” to mislead the White House, keeping thousands of soldiers in war zones despite the commander-in-chief’s directives. Paul slammed this as a shocking betrayal of democratic principles and presidential authority.
Rayburn struggled to defend his mentor Jeffrey, who signed the infamous “Never Trump” letter in 2016. That document called Trump “dangerous” and “unfit” for office – the same elitist swamp mentality that fueled years of resistance against conservative leadership. Paul noted these deep state operatives prioritized globalist wars over American interests.
The nominee admitted working “closely” with Jeffrey but refused to condemn his actions. When pressed, Rayburn dodged questions about whether he helped mislead Trump on troop levels. His evasive answers highlighted the bureaucratic rot still festering in Washington – unelected officials undermining elected leaders they personally dislike.
Paul demanded accountability, asking why loyal public servants should tolerate such deception. He emphasized that hiding troop numbers from a sitting president isn’t just dishonest – it’s a constitutional crisis. The senator warned that letting this behavior go unpunished encourages more shadow government tactics against future administrations.
The hearing exposed the brutal truth: America’s corrupt permanent bureaucracy actively worked to neuter Trump’s America First policies. While patriots fought to bring troops home, career diplomats schemed to keep endless Middle East wars alive. This isn’t just politics – it’s a direct assault on the voters who demanded change.
Jeffrey’s admission proves what conservatives always suspected – the deep state thinks it knows better than the American people. These arrogant bureaucrats view presidents as temporary inconveniences while they cling to power. Paul’s grilling shows Republicans are finally fighting back against this toxic administrative tyranny.
Every red-blooded American should be outraged by this betrayal. If unelected officials can lie to the president and ignore voters’ will, our republic hangs by a thread. Paul’s bold stand gives hope that truth and transparency can still triumph over swamp creatures who put globalism above freedom.
