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Sen. Rand PaulRand PaulOvernight Healthcare: Freedom Caucus open to new ObamaCare replacement plan Freedom Caucus members open to Sanford's ObamaCare replacement Rand Paul urges Trump not to open State Department to neocons MORE (R-Ky.) is urging President Trump not to choose prominent neoconservative Elliott Abrams to serve in the No. 2 spot at the State Department.

In an op-ed published in the libertarian website Rare, Paul argues that Abrams would not promote the same foreign policy agenda that Trump described throughout his campaign and since taking office.

Elliott Abrams is a neoconservative too long in the tooth to change his spots, and the president should have no reason to trust that he would carry out a Trump agenda rather than a neocon agenda, Paul wrote.

A report emerged on Monday that Trump, along with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, would meet with Abrams on Tuesday in the presidents final step in the decision-making process. Tillerson reportedly prefers Abrams to serve as his deputy.

Paul added that Abramss "neocon agenda trumps his fidelity to the rule of law.

Trump broke with neoconservatives during his presidential campaign, arguing for an end to nation building and suggesting he was open to warmer relations with Russia.

He is a loud voice for nation building and when asked about the presidentsopposition to nation building, Abrams said that Trump wasabsolutely wrong; and during the election he was unequivocal in his opposition to Donald TrumpDonald TrumpSeven celebs who could headline WHCA dinner Why Trump must act against Iran in Syria Trump: 'Politics threatening national security MORE, going so far as to say, the chair in which Washington and Lincoln sat, he is not fit to sit, Paul wrote.

Abrams previously served in the State Department under President Ronald Reagan and on the National Security Council during President George W. Bushs administration. He is currently a senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations.

Paul, who during his own presidential campaign criticized fellow candidate Sen. Marco RubioMarco RubioSenate GOP votes to silence Warren after speech against Sessions Rand Paul urges Trump not to open State Department to neocons Wife of hospitalized Putin critic: My husband was poisoned MORE (R-Fla.), for his neoconservative foreign policy, said he hopes Tillerson will continue the search for expert assistance from experienced, non-convicted diplomats who understand the mistakes of the past and the challenges ahead.

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Rand Paul urges Trump not to open State Department to neocons - The Hill