Rand Paul accuses Obama of ‘underplaying’ threat from Ebola

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) accused the Obama administration of “underplaying” the threat of Ebola after it was identified in the U.S.

In an interview with the Laura Ingraham Show on Wednesday, Paul said the administration was failing to adequately warn the public about the disease because health officials insisted on maintaining “political correctness.”

“I am concerned about it, and it’s a big mistake to downplay it and act as if it’s not a big deal. … This could get beyond our control,” Paul said.

Paul said because the issue of Ebola is being “dominated by political correctness, we’re not really making sound, rational, scientific decisions.”

A Liberian man was diagnosed with Ebola in a Dallas hospital on Tuesday, marking the first case of the virus outside of Africa. The man was potentially in contact with as many as 80 people between his arrival in Texas and his diagnosis, health officials said.

Paul said the U.S. should pursue a more aggressive approach to protecting its borders.

He questioned Obama’s decision to send 3,000 soldiers to West Africa to help contain the disease, warning that they could become infected. He also took issue with the U.S. playing host to dozens of African leaders for a conference last month, suggesting it could have transmitted the disease.

“Wouldn’t it make sense to delay it for four months and not have them all come to New York City?” Paul said.