Sen. Rand Paul (R., Ky.) said it may take an independent investigation to hold responsible officials accountable for the IRS conservative targeting scandal Tuesday on Fox News.
Responding to reports that Lois Lerner, the head of the tax-exempt division of the IRS, would not testify about improper screening but instead would invoke her 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination, Paul said American confidence in the government was at stake.
"You know, if people are taking the 5th, how do you get to the bottom of this unless there is some kind of special investigation?" Paul said. "Also, someone needs to be fired. It seems to be impossible to fire a government employee ... That's the problem. People want government to be responsive, and if someone uses and abuses the power of government, they want that person kicked out of office."
Paul also called for more fervent action from President Obama in response to the various scandals plaguing the White House, rather than just saying he was "outraged" and not holding more people responsible.
"He seems to be detached, and he kind of wants to show outrage but say, 'I had nothing to do with this, I'm just the president,'" Paul said. "I'm not sure that's going to fly with the public."