Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) will vote against President Trump's pick for attorney general, William Barr, he told Politico in an interview Monday evening.
"I'm a no," Paul said. "He's been the chief advocate for warrantless surveillance of U.S. citizens. I think that the Fourth Amendment should protect your phone calls and your bank information. People shouldn't be allowed to look at it without a warrant."
The Kentucky Republican has repeatedly raised concerns about Barr's record on civil liberties since Trump chose him to replace former Attorney General Jeff Sessions. "I'm concerned that [Barr has] been a big supporter of the Patriot Act," Paul said in December. "I'm disturbed that he's been a big fan of taking people's property, civil asset forfeiture, without a conviction."
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Paul's opposition is unlikely to prevent Barr's confirmation. Republicans hold 53 seats in the Senate, and at least one Democrat, Sen. Doug Jones (Ala.), has indicated he will vote yes. The confirmation vote is expected sometime this week.
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