Rand Paul floats possible 2028 run, pushes back on Trump-era protectionism

Rand Paul floats possible 2028 run, pushes back on Trump-era protectionism

Kentucky senator says he wants to represent 'free-market wing' of Republican Party as alternative to Trump-Vance populism

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., talks to reporters before heading into the Senate Chamber to vote at the U.S. Capitol on March 4, 2026. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, left, has been a critic of some of the policy pushed by President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, right. (Left: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images; Right: Annabelle Gordon/UPI/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky speaks in Manchesater, New Hampshire on March 15, 2015, during his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination. (AP)