Sen. Rand Paul (R., Ky.) called John Brennan's refusal to answer whether the government had the authority to use drone strikes on U.S. soil "very, very troubling" Thursday on Fox News.
Paul put a hold on the would-be CIA director's nomination as a result.
"I would like to know if President Obama claims or says or asserts that he has the power to kill an American on American soil with a drone, and I would think the answer should be pretty easy," Paul said. "Should be a very short answer, should be no. I can't imagine the president would assert the power to kill an American on American soil, but John Brennan was asked this question in his confirmation hearing by Senator Wyden, and he refused to answer it."
Asked for his reaction if Brennan said the government could, Paul said he would fight as hard as he could to never let him take a position of authority.
"I think that's blatantly unconstitutional, and we'll fight tooth and nail to stop him from being in charge of any drone killing project," Paul said. "If he thinks he can kill American citizens with no due process, I think that is particularly scary."