President Trump’s idea is bad for America. It is hard to imagine the uninvited takeover of a foreign territory would be legal according to international law. It would resurrect claims of American imperialism and the continuation of its colonial legacy.

The expansionist talk in Gaza is playing out as Trump has begun an effort to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development, the federal agency that provides crucial aid that funds education and fights starvation, epidemics and poverty overseas. Trump sees it as a poster child of government waste and advancement of liberal social programs.

Paul ripped Trump’s idea in a statement posted to X, noting that Trump ran his campaign on his “America First” policy. Trump repeatedly vowed to end “endless wars” throughout each of his campaigns.