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Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky once provocatively suggested a “duel” with journalists following accusations that he had plagiarized content from Wikipedia in his speeches and copied sections of his book, “Government Bullies,” from a conservative source.
In a 2013 appearance on ABC News’ “This Week,” Paul addressed the allegations, stating, “I take it as an insult when people accuse me of dishonesty or misrepresentation. I have never done so intentionally and will not stand idly by while such claims are made.”
He further remarked, “If dueling were still permissible in Kentucky—and if these accusations persist—it would certainly warrant a duel challenge.”
During a hearing on Capitol Hill this past Wednesday, Paul humorously criticized fellow Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma for expressing a desire to revert to a time when “two consenting adults” could settle disputes through dueling.
Paul responded to Mullin’s remarks by noting, “Dueling has been outlawed for 170 years. There is no legal precedent for it.”
“Like I say, if dueling were legal in Kentucky — if they keep it up — it’ll be a duel challenge,” he added.
Paul mocked Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) during a Wednesday hearing on Capitol Hill for wanting to return to the norm of “two consenting adults” being able to resolve their difference by “dueling.”
“It’s been illegal for 170 years. There’s no precedent for legal dueling,” the Kentucky Republican responded.
One of the reporters who published Paul’s potential plagiarism in a November 2013 article quipped Wednesday, “I was once challenged by Sen. Paul 13 years ago to a duel.”