Overview

• During a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Sen. Tim Kaine called it “extremely troubling” to claim rights come from the Creator rather than government, comparing that view to Iran’s theocracy.
• The exchange arose as nominee Riley Barnes endorsed remarks by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and referenced the Declaration of Independence’s language about being endowed by a Creator.
• After Kaine left the room, Sen. Ted Cruz condemned the comments, cited the Declaration on natural rights, and shared video clips that drew wide attention on social media.
• Bishop Robert Barron posted a video rebuke saying rights do not come from government, warning that if government grants rights it can also take them away.
• Kaine said he believes in natural rights but argued different faith traditions would define them differently and emphasized the constitutional ideal of “equal justice under law,” while right-leaning commentators escalated calls against him.