Senator ATTACKS Declaration of Independence — SHOCKING!

The Declaration of Independence laid on an American flag

Democratic Senator Tim Kaine shocked conservatives by calling the Declaration of Independence’s foundational principle that rights come from the Creator “extremely troubling,” comparing it to Iran’s theocracy during a confirmation hearing for Trump nominee Riley Barnes.

Story Highlights

  • Sen. Tim Kaine attacked the Declaration’s “endowed by their Creator” language as troubling
  • Trump nominee Riley Barnes affirmed rights come from God, not government during confirmation hearing
  • Kaine’s comparison of American founding principles to Iranian theocracy sparked conservative outrage
  • Barnes seeks confirmation as Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor

Kaine’s Shocking Attack on Founding Principles

During Riley Barnes’ Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing, Senator Tim Kaine expressed alarm over Barnes’ assertion that human rights derive from the Creator rather than government. Kaine described this fundamental American principle as “extremely troubling,” directly challenging language from the Declaration of Independence. The Virginia Democrat’s remarks demonstrate how far left-wing ideology has drifted from America’s constitutional foundation, attacking the very bedrock of our nation’s understanding of liberty.

Barnes Stands Firm on Constitutional Foundation

Riley Barnes, President Trump’s nominee for Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, correctly articulated the traditional American view that rights are “endowed by their Creator.” This position aligns perfectly with the Declaration of Independence and centuries of American jurisprudence recognizing that government exists to protect pre-existing rights, not grant them. Barnes’ nomination represents Trump’s commitment to appointing officials who understand that government power must be limited and that individual liberty comes from God, not bureaucrats.

Democrats’ Dangerous Government-First Philosophy Exposed

Kaine’s criticism reveals the dangerous leftist belief that government is the source of rights rather than their protector. This philosophy opens the door to tyranny by suggesting that what government gives, government can take away. The senator’s comparison to theocracy demonstrates either profound ignorance of American history or deliberate distortion of our founding principles. Unlike Iran’s oppressive regime, America’s founders specifically limited government power by recognizing that rights exist independent of state authority.

The confirmation hearing highlights the stark ideological divide between conservatives who embrace America’s founding principles and progressives who view expansive government as the ultimate arbiter of human liberty. Barnes’ nomination now faces scrutiny from Democrats who apparently find the Declaration of Independence itself objectionable. This controversy underscores why Trump’s personnel choices matter enormously for preserving constitutional governance and American values in federal agencies.

Constitutional Conservatives Rally Behind Barnes

Conservative lawmakers and commentators have rallied to defend both Barnes and America’s founding principles against Kaine’s misguided attack. The backlash demonstrates that patriotic Americans will not tolerate attempts to undermine the philosophical foundation of our republic. Barnes’ confirmation would signal that the State Department will once again champion the timeless truth that individual rights precede government and cannot be legitimately violated by state power, restoring sanity to America’s human rights diplomacy.

This confirmation battle represents more than personnel politics—it’s a fight for the soul of American governance. Patriots must support nominees like Barnes who understand that our rights come from God, not government, ensuring that future generations inherit the same constitutional protections that have made America exceptional among nations.

Sources:

Congress.gov: Riley Barnes Nomination

White House Press Release: Nominations Sent to the Senate

Chairman Risch Opening Statement at Nominations Hearing

POGO: The Paper Trail, June 20, 2025