Rand Paul chides Speaker Mike Johnson, says it’s like Democrats are running the House

Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky unleashed on House Speaker Mike Johnson on Sunday, accusing his fellow Republican of abandoning conservative principles on the national debt and government surveillance.

“As I see it now, I’m not sure there’s a difference between Mike Johnson and being in charge and the Democrats being in charge,” Mr. Paul said on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo.” “People have to be strong in their convictions. He was seen as a conservative before he came to the speakership.”

Mr. Johnson, Louisiana Republican, appeared on the same program in a separate interview and emphasized that his positions are in lockstep with former President Donald Trump. He defended his actions in passing a government funding bill to avoid a shutdown and an extension of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which allows warrantless surveillance for national security purposes.

“Keep and grow the House majority, win back the Senate and win back the White House for President Trump so we can save this country — that’s what’s at stake right now,” Mr. Johnson said. “The party is 100% united on that agenda.”

Mr. Johnson is facing a motion to vacate threat from Marjorie Taylor Greene, Georgia Republican, prompting some unsolicited advice from Mr. Paul.

“If he wants to remain speaker, frankly, he’s [got] to do better,” Mr. Paul said. “He’s got to be a leader of his party, not capitulate[] to the other party.”