Rand Paul awkwardly admits he felt differently about special investigations when Bill Clinton was in the hot seat


Special prosecutors are always on a "witch hunt," says Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.). Except maybe when they're investigating Bill Clinton.
Paul jumped on the Robert Mueller-condemning bandwagon on Fox News on Tuesday morning, responding to reports that the FBI raided the office of President Trump's personal attorney Michael Cohen on Monday. Paul explained how even if Mueller doesn't use information obtained in the raid that is protected by attorney-client privilege, he'll still read it. From there, he could get ideas on where to look for details he actually could use in the ongoing Russia investigation, Paul said.
That's why, Paul said, he has opposed special investigations even for officials who blatantly abused their office — a fact he seemed proud of until the skeptical anchor interrupted.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"So how'd you feel about Ken Starr in the '90s?" Fox News' Bill Hemmer asked, referring to the independent counsel who investigated then-President Bill Clinton.
"You know, I may or may not have been as consistent back then, to tell you the truth," Paul responded, with a nervous laugh. "But I've come to believe that now these special prosecutors have too much power."
Watch the whole exchange below. Kathryn Krawczyk
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.
-
Youth Demand promises a 'revolution'
The Explainer New protest group picks up Just Stop Oil's mantle and vows to 'build a movement that is going to take control of the British state'
-
Video games to play this summer, from Mario Kart World to Shinobi: Art of Vengeance
The Week Recommends Nintendo launches the Switch 2 with an exclusive 'Mario Kart' entry, and Sega revisits an arcade classic
-
Sudoku medium: June 12, 2025
The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle
-
Trump vows 'very big force' against parade protesters
Speed Read The parade, which will shut down much of the capital, will celebrate the US Army's 250th anniversary and Trump's 79th birthday
-
Smithsonian asserts its autonomy from Trump
speed read The DC institution defied Trump's firing of National Portrait Gallery Director Kim Sajet
-
Trump sends Marines to LA, backs Newsom arrest
speed read California Gov. Gavin Newsom is filing lawsuits in response to Trump's escalation of the federal response to ICE protests
-
Trump foists National Guard on unwilling California
speed read Protests erupted over ICE immigration raids in LA county
-
Supreme Court lowers bar in discrimination cases
speed read The court ruled in favor of a white woman who claimed she lost two deserved promotions to gay employees
-
Trump-Musk relationship implodes in taunts, threats
speed read Musk said Trump's multitrillion bill would cause a recession and accused the president of involvement with Jeffrey Epstein
-
Trump hits Africa, Middle East with new travel ban
Speed Read The travel ban bars visitors from 12 countries and restricts entry from seven
-
Elon Musk slams Trump's 'pork-filled' signature bill
speed read 'Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong,' Musk posted on X