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Rand Paul: Court Oversight in Drone Attacks Needed

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Courts should decide whether the U.S. should use drone attacks on American citizens who are abroad and accused of committing crimes against the nation, U.S. Sen. Rand Paul said.

Paul told Kentucky Public Radio on Monday that he would prefer a judge or jury make those decisions, as they do with crimes committed inside the U.S.

"We still, even for bad people, give them a trial and a jury to make sure we get the guilty people and not kill an innocent person," he said.

On Sunday, Paul appeared on CNN to criticize President Obama's use of drone attacks on U.S. citizenswho are alleged terrorists. Paul said he didn't think any politician should make that final decision.

Paul says he believes the military should have the right to attack a terrorist, but wants a more non-political entity making the decision on when to launch such an attack.

CIA Director-designate John Brennan recently defended the use of drones in terrorist situations with U.S. citizens abroad, saying they are only used when a person is active in planning attacks against the U.S. 

Paul says he will not vote for Brennan until that position is further clarified.

Kenny Colston is the Frankfort Bureau Chief for Kentucky Public Radio (a collaborative effort of public radio stations in Kentucky). Colston has covered Kentucky's Capitol and state government since 2010. He is a Louisville native, and a graduate of the University of Kentucky. When he's not tracking down stories about Kentucky politics, you can often find him watching college sports, particularly football.
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