Rand Paul Visits Ferguson Ahead of Fresh Protests
TIME Politics 2016 Election Rand Paul Visits Ferguson Ahead of Fresh Protests Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) speaks at the Values Voter Summit in Washington, Sept. 26, 2014. Doug MillsThe New York Times/Redux Paul is the first potential 2016 contender to visit the city
Sen. Rand Paul met with civil rights leaders Friday in Ferguson, Missouri, the city torn apart by racial unrest following the August shooting of an unarmed black teenager by a white police officer. During his visit, the Republican Senator, who is seen as a likely presidential candidate, stated his concerns about long prison sentences for nonviolent crimes, the loss of voting rights for felons and military programs to give unused equipment to local police departments.
I wanted to find out what we could do to make the situation better, Paul said of his visit Friday.
Given the racial disparities in our criminal justice system, it is impossible for African-Americans not to feel like their government is particularly targeting them, Paul wrote in an opinion piece for TIME this summer.
The meeting came just days after another young black man was shot by police in nearby St. Louis, after allegedly firing a stolen handgun at an officer. And it came on the eve of a weekend series of protests organized to keep national attention on the states issues.
Paul joined the leaders in the conference room of a real estate office across the street from an art installation Friday, where residents had tied ribbons to a metal fence with messages commemorating the protests that began in August after the shooting of 18-year-old African-American student Michael Brown. Paul arrived in town Thursday for a round table discussion at the Show Me Institute, a conservative think tank in St. Louis. That event, like the discussion with local and civil rights leaders in Ferguson, was not open to the press.
Fridays discussion was free-ranging, less a speech than a question and answer session. People at the event said that they remained concerned about the GOPs opposition to federal funding for job training and education and other social programs. Paul said that he would support increases in federal spending for job training in urban communities that could be paid for with cuts to the costs of incarceration. I think there would be money for job training if you greatly lessened criminal sentencing, he said.
They are also frustrated that things arent happening fast enough, Paul said after the meeting, which was organized by the NAACP.
Pauls trip to Fergusonthe first by a 2016 candidateis a reminder of how his position on criminal justice reform can make a Republican more palatable to the African-American community. As riots turned violent in Ferguson, Paul distinguished himself among Republicans by striking a more forceful tone in addressing the root of the protesters anger and putting forth potential solutions.
He is stumping like he should be trying to stump if he wants to run for President, said John Gaskin II, who participated in Fridays event.
Read the original post:
Rand Paul Visits Ferguson Ahead of Fresh Protests
- Sen. Rand Paul isn't ruling out another shot at the White House - WUKY - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Senator Rand Paul Reintroduces Audit the Fed Bill - Senator Rand Paul (.gov) - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Is Rand Paul eyeing a 2028 presidential run? Here's what he had to say - The Courier-Journal - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul sees cultural cover-up about Trump shooting last July - Politico - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Rand Paul says we 'aren't going to know' the motive of Trump's would-be assassin - Yahoo - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: SENATOR RAND PAUL TRUMP, ELON & AMERICAS $35 TRILLION DEBT When the U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff was asked,... - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Rand Paul says GOP doesnt have the spine to cut spending - Washington Examiner - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul visits with Kentucky veterans at VA benefits event in Bullitt County - WDRB - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul blasts Secret Service, says we won't know Trump would-be assassin's motive - MSN - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Rand Paul re-refers Fauci to Department of Justice - Washington Examiner - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Rand Paul says we 'aren't going to know' the motive of Trump's would-be assassin - Fox News - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul blasts Secret Service, says we won't know Trump would-be assassin's motive - Fox News - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul says "we aren't going to know the motive" of the shooter in Trump's assassination attempt - CBS News - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul accuses Secret Service of "cultural cover-up" regarding Butler shooting - MSN - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- CISA may have a Rand Paul problem - Punchbowl News - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Rand Paul says we arent going to know the motive of Trumps would-be assassin - FOX 8 TV - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Fundraising Update: Senator Rand Paul just disclosed $697.3K of new fundraising - Quiver Quantitative - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul makes remarks on tariffs, Medicaid cuts at Richmond event - WEKU - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul voted against Trump's fiscal package, but remains optimistic - Spectrum News 1 - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul defends vote against Trump's spending bill during Kentucky visit - LEX18 - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul touches on the Farm Bill, trade, and workers in Georgetown appearance - WUKY - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul says he isn't really 'optimistic' Congress will 'grow a spine' - Fox Business - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Rand Paul and House Freedom Caucus made budget bill better - Washington Examiner - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Rand Paul, thank you for standing up to Trump. Will you go one step further? | Letter - The Courier-Journal - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Fox News Host Confronts Rand Paul Over Leaked Intel - MSN - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Rand Paul rails against big, beautiful bill negotiations after all-night vote-a-rama - The Hill - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Lisa Murkowski Defends Alaska Carveouts As Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders And Rand Paul Condemn Trump's 'Big Beautiful' Bill: 'Not Good Enough For... - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul refuses to back budget bill due to added debt - Fox News - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Rand Paul questions whether Trump's Iran attack was a good idea: 'Critics are loving it' - Fox Business - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul on passing spending bill: 'Both parties are to blame for this' - Yahoo - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Video Sen. Rand Paul on passing spending bill: 'Both parties are to blame for this' - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Rand Paul Laughs at Fox Host Asking If Trump Iran Strikes Are a Win: The Bushes Are H ... - Mediaite - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul promotes bill aimed at protecting the NCAA from anti-trust liability - Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW) - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Most Republicans Say the Border Wall is Worth the Cost. Rand Paul Isnt so Sure. - NOTUS - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Rand Paul broke with his own party on border security funding. Then his party broke with him. - Politico - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Dr. Rand Paul to Host 2025 Fall Service Academy Information Fair for Kentucky Students - Senator Rand Paul (.gov) - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Dr. Rand Paul Introduces the Restore Prescription Drugs Discount Act - Senator Rand Paul (.gov) - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Dr. Rand Paul Introduces End the Feds Big Bank Bailout Act - Senator Rand Paul (.gov) - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Rand Paul forces GOP into megabill runaround - Politico - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Rand Paul floats idea for separate vote on debt ceiling: 'Let the Democrats own it' - Fox Business - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Senator Rand Paul Objects to Using the IHRA Definition of Antisemitism in Federal Antidiscrimination Law - Boulder Jewish News - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Rand Paul says hed be willing to negotiate on megabill support - Politico - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul not an 'absolute no' on spending bill, reveals what would make him say 'yes' - Fox News - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Rand Paul: Ive never liked the idea of Trump Army parade - The Hill - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- After Musk, Stephen Miller now gets into a fight with Rand Paul the real reason behind the clash - The Economic Times - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Rand Paul says he'd be willing to negotiate on megabill support - Yahoo News - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- GOP Sen. Rand Paul Says He Won't Be 'The Deciding Vote' On Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill': 'They'll Negotiate With Me' - Latin Times - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- GOP Sen. Rand Paul Shifts Tone On Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill,' Says He's 'Not An Absolute No' - Latin Times - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Rand Paul on Reconciliation Bill: GOP will own the debt - WAAY 31 News - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul: I can't support a bill with the largest debt increase in US history - USA Today - June 7th, 2025 [June 7th, 2025]
- Rand Paul will oppose Trump budget bill, but he helped nearly double US debt | Letter - The Courier-Journal - June 7th, 2025 [June 7th, 2025]
- Rand Paul Is Right About the Debt - The Daily Signal - June 7th, 2025 [June 7th, 2025]
- Elon Musk and Rand Paul appear to join forces against Trump and the big, beautiful bill - AOL.com - June 7th, 2025 [June 7th, 2025]
- Rand Paul Offers Trump an Offramp As War Against His Opposite of Conservative Budget Bill Es ... - Mediaite - June 7th, 2025 [June 7th, 2025]
- Rand Paul: I can't support a bill with the largest debt increase in US history | Opinion - The Courier-Journal - June 7th, 2025 [June 7th, 2025]
- Elon Musk and Rand Paul appear to join forces against Trump and the big, beautiful bill - The Independent - June 7th, 2025 [June 7th, 2025]
- Elon Musk and Rand Paul are right. The Big Beautiful Bill is just a bloated mess. - Orange County Register - June 7th, 2025 [June 7th, 2025]
- Trump Seethes Over Rand Paul Continuing To Oppose 'Big, Beautiful Bill' - Yahoo - June 7th, 2025 [June 7th, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul visiting Somerset & London today to get update on tornado recovery efforts - WKYT - June 7th, 2025 [June 7th, 2025]
- Trump blasts Rand Paul over big, beautiful bill - Washington Examiner - June 7th, 2025 [June 7th, 2025]
- Trumps criticism of Rand Paul is wrong and misguided - Washington Examiner - June 7th, 2025 [June 7th, 2025]
- Trump lashes out at Sen. Rand Paul over opposition to big tax bill - Forward Kentucky - June 7th, 2025 [June 7th, 2025]
- Rand Paul will oppose Trump budget bill, but he helped nearly double US debt | Letter - Yahoo - June 7th, 2025 [June 7th, 2025]
- Trump slams GOP Sen. Rand Paul for opposing 'big, beautiful bill' due to $5 trillion debt ceiling hike - CNBC - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- Trump criticizes Rand Paul over tax bill opposition: 'Votes no on everything' - Fox News - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- Trump lashes out at Sen. Rand Paul over opposition to big tax bill - USA Today - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- President Donald Trump attacks Sen. Rand Paul over opposition to tax bill - Spectrum News - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- Senator Rand Paul: 'FEMA has a role' - LEX18 - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- Trump slams Sen. Rand Paul's opposition to his "Big Beautiful Bill": 'Actually crazy' - FOX 32 Chicago - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- Rand Paul says he would support 'big, beautiful bill' if debt ceiling hike removed - Fox News - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- Trump warns Rand Paul he's playing into 'hands of the Democrats' with 'Big, Beautiful Bill' opposition - Fox News - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul: This part of Trumps bill gives me heartburn - CNN - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- It's Rand Paul and Elon Musk vs. Donald Trump Over the 'Big Beautiful Bill' - Reason Magazine - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- Rand Paul Thinks There Are Enough GOP Senators to Block Trump Budget Bill - Newsweek - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- Trump Seethes Over Rand Paul Continuing To Oppose 'Big, Beautiful Bill' - HuffPost - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul warns Trump tax bill will lead to more deficits: 'Irresponsible' - Fox Business - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- Trump Goes Scorched-Earth on Rand Paul in Budget Fight - The New York Sun - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- Trump Blasts Rand Paul as Crazy for Resisting GOP Tax Cut Bill - Bloomberg Government News - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- Trump Puts Rand Paul On Blast Over Big, Beautiful Bill - The Daily Wire - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul on Musk criticism of BBB - WFLA - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]