Rand Paul backtracks statement that Washington is 'secretly' hoping for a terrorist attack

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) has clarified his suggestion that some of his political opponents may be hoping for a terrorist attack on the U.S.

On Sunday, Paul said that some politicians "secretly want there to be an attack on the United States so they can blame it on me." He was referring to his opposition to key provisions in the Patriot Act and his stance against the U.S. government's bulk data collection.

"I think, sometimes, in the heat of battle, hyperbole can get the better of anyone, and that may be the problem there," Paul said in a Fox News interview Monday. "The point I was trying to make is that I think people do use fear to try to get us to give up our liberty."

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Paul went on to explain that the U.S. constitution allows for search warrants, which would allow the government to look at phone records when necessary, even without the Patriot Act's provisions.