'They want it both ways': Trump ally reveals boat strikes eroding key part of MAGA base

One of President Donald Trump's allies in Congress revealed that the administration's continued strikes against alleged drug boats are eroding a key base within the MAGA movement, according to a new report.

During an interview on CBS News' "Face the Nation," Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) sharply criticized Trump for planning to designate a Venezuelan cartel as a foreign terrorist organization, according to a report by Newsmax. The designation would give the president more latitude to authorize unilateral strikes against the cartel and avoid asking for Congress's approval in the meantime.

So far, the administration has conducted more than 20 strikes, killing more than 90 people, according to reports.

"A lot of people, including myself, were attracted to the president because of his desire to not get us involved in foreign wars," he said.

Newsmax also reported that Paul, who serves on the Senate Homeland Security and Foreign Relations committees, has "pressed" the administration to seek an official wartime declaration instead of unilaterally striking foreign boats in international waters.

"The administration refused," Paul said. "They want it both ways."

Paul also expressed discontent on Sunday over the administration "pretending" the U.S. is at war with Venezuela.

"They are pretending as if we are at war," Paul added. "When you have war, the rules of engagement are lessened."

Read the entire report by clicking here.