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Paul: Mueller Overstepping Bounds In Trump Investigation

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., speaks during a TV news interview on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, March 21, 2018.
AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., speaks during a TV news interview on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, March 21, 2018.

Kentucky Senator Rand Paul is siding with President Donald Trump in calling special prosecutor Robert Mueller’s investigation a “witch hunt.” The senator worries the probe has expanded far beyond its intended scope.

Appearing on Fox News, Paul said going after the president’s personal attorney is a “great overstep.” The FBI raided longtime Trump lawyer Michael Cohen’s office and hotel room Monday morning, on an apparent tip by Mueller.

Paul cautioned that while the raid might please opponents of the president, it sets a worrying precedent.

"I would warn people around America who say... that don't like the president... oh this is just fine because it's against President Trump, this is an enormous power that can be used against anybody," the libertarian-leaning lawmaker said. 

The senator said he opposes using special prosecutors for “almost anything” because they abuse their authority, but later acknowledged he may have sounded different in the 1990s discussing Ken Starr, the independent counsel who led the investigation into then-President Bill Clinton’s relationship with Monica Lewinsky.

"You know, I may or may not have been as consistent back then to tell you the truth, but I've come to believe that now these special prosecutors have too much power," Paul acknowledged.

Paul also reiterated his defense of embattled EPA administrator Scott Pruitt, who is under scrutiny for security and travel spending. The Bowling Green senator called Pruitt a champion for deregulation and predicted he can survive if he maintains the support of the president.

Copyright 2018 WUKY

Josh James fell in love with college radio at Western Kentucky University's student station, New Rock 92 (now known as Revolution 91.7). After working as a DJ and Program Director, he knew he wanted to come home to Lexington and try his hand in public radio.