--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Who gets to decide who's an enemy…" description: "\"Who gets to decide who's an enemy combatant and who's an American citizen? Are we really so frightened and so easily frightened that we would give up a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/948/rand-paul-606_american-citizen_who-gets-to-decide-who-s-an-enemy-combat_1437733.jpg" --- # Who gets to decide who's an enemy combatant and who's an… ![“Who gets to decide who's an enemy combatant and who's an American citizen? Are we really so frightened and so easily frightened that we would give up a thousand-year history?” quote by Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/948/rand-paul-606_american-citizen_who-gets-to-decide-who-s-an-enemy-combat_1437733.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/948/rand-paul-606_american-citizen_who-gets-to-decide-who-s-an-enemy-combat_1437733.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/948/rand-paul-606_american-citizen_who-gets-to-decide-who-s-an-enemy-combat_1437733.jpg) > “Who gets to decide who's an enemy combatant and who's an American citizen? Are we really so frightened and so easily frightened that we would give up a thousand-year history?” [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote questions who has authority to label individuals as enemies versus citizens, warning against fear-driven erosion of rights. **In simple terms:** Who decides who is an enemy or a citizen? Key Takeaway Question authority, protect civil liberties. Themes authority civil rights national security Mood concerned critical Type political legal When to use this quote - policy debate - immigration law - citizen rights - national security measures Key Concepts legal definition state power identity fear Questions to Reflect On - Who should have the final say on citizenship status? - How does fear influence legal definitions? A Different Perspective Power can be abused under fear, leading to loss of freedoms. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [American citizen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-citizen/) [American citizens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-citizens/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Giving up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving-up/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Thousand years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thousand-years/) ## Related quotes > [If now we were livingin the Revolutionary War and George Washington he being arrested through Britain. For sure he, they would consider him enemy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalid-sheikh-mohammed/if-now-we-were-livingin-the-revolutionary-war-and-george-washington/) Khalid Sheikh Mohammed > [If you're an American citizen and you decide to join up with ISIS, we're not going to read you your Miranda rights. You're going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/if-you-re-an-american-citizen-and-you-decide-to-join-up-with-isis-we/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [“As for Celaena," he said again, "you do not have the right to wish she were not what she is. The only thing you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/as-for-celaena-he-said-again-you-do-not-have-the-right-to-wish-she/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“He scissored his legs, pulled hers out from under her, and brought her to the ground. Then, on some stupid impulse, he rolled on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-marton/he-scissored-his-legs-pulled-hers-out-from-under-her-and-brought-her/) [Dana Marton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-marton/) > [If the 'enemy combatant' cases of Padilla and Hamdi present a clash between liberty and security, each side champions one while giving short shrift…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-wittes/if-the-enemy-combatant-cases-of-padilla-and-hamdi-present-a-clash/) [Benjamin Wittes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-wittes/) > [The clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy's will to be imposed on him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/the-clever-combatant-imposes-his-will-on-the-enemy-but-does-not-allow/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [The clever combatant looks to the effect of combined energy, and does not require too much from individuals. Hence his ability to pick out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/the-clever-combatant-looks-to-the-effect-of-combined-energy-and-does/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [No wise combatant underestimates their antagonist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/no-wise-combatant-underestimates-their-antagonist/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [“Combatant, lacking the crossed shoulder belts of”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-norton/combatant-lacking-the-crossed-shoulder-belts-of/) [Andre Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-norton/) > [“Therefore the clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy's will to be imposed on him.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/therefore-the-clever-combatant-imposes-his-will-on-the-enemy-but-does/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [War hath no fury like a non-combatant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-edward-montague/war-hath-no-fury-like-a-non-combatant/) [Charles Edward Montague](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-edward-montague/) > [“Protecting a fellow combatant was a noble cause, but before one could protect a friend, he had to stay alive.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-cameron/protecting-a-fellow-combatant-was-a-noble-cause-but-before-one-could/) [Marc Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-cameron/) > [I'm not anymore because I haven't kept up with my certification, but I was a certified actor combatant in rapier, dagger, hand-to-hand, and quarterstaff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-brandt/i-m-not-anymore-because-i-haven-t-kept-up-with-my-certification-but-i/) [Betsy Brandt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-brandt/) > [In the military, a combatant command is the ultimate job. It's the pointy tip of the spear, overseeing the people carrying the rifles and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tammy-duckworth/in-the-military-a-combatant-command-is-the-ultimate-job-it-s-the/) [Tammy Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammy-duckworth/) > [I think the combatant is always burdened with returning and making his way through his past. And that we as citizens have a responsibility…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-swofford/i-think-the-combatant-is-always-burdened-with-returning-and-making/) [Anthony Swofford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-swofford/) ## More by Rand Paul > [I have a question, a question for the president: Do you hate all rich people, or just rich people who don't contribute to your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-have-a-question-a-question-for-the-president-do-you-hate-all-rich/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [I am encouraged President Obama now says he will fulfill his constitutional obligation to seek authorization for any potential military action in Syria. This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-am-encouraged-president-obama-now-says-he-will-fulfill-his/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [I can tell you who's planning terroris attacks. The leaders of ISIL. And I can tell you where they're at. They're in Raqqa, Syria.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-can-tell-you-who-s-planning-terroris-attacks-the-leaders-of-isil/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [There comes a time, in the history of Nations when fear and forgetfulness cause a nation to hesitate, to waver and perhaps even to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/there-comes-a-time-in-the-history-of-nations-when-fear-and/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [As long as I sit at Henry Clay's desk, I will remember his lifelong desire to forge agreement, but I will also keep close…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/as-long-as-i-sit-at-henry-clay-s-desk-i-will-remember-his-lifelong/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [I believe people ought to be treated fairly under the law. I see no reason why if the marriage contract conveys certain things that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-believe-people-ought-to-be-treated-fairly-under-the-law-i-see-no/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [I think that, most importantly, when I see issues of war, I see them in a personal vein, and I am reluctant to go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-think-that-most-importantly-when-i-see-issues-of-war-i-see-them-in/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [I would have handled it differently than the mayor of Baltimore, that's for sure. I think it's a mistake to say, hey, guys, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-would-have-handled-it-differently-than-the-mayor-of-baltimore-that/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [We have to think before we act.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/we-have-to-think-before-we-act/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [I would introduce and support legislation to send Roe v. Wade back to the states.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-would-introduce-and-support-legislation-to-send-roe-v-wade-back-to/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [President Obama, I think, wanted what was best for the country, but I think it didn't work well. I think we have the death…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/president-obama-i-think-wanted-what-was-best-for-the-country-but-i/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [I think it's a mistake to downgrade and say surveillance is no big deal. It is a huge deal that we are collecting millions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-think-it-s-a-mistake-to-downgrade-and-say-surveillance-is-no-big/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [We need a revival in the country,” Paul said. “We need another Great Awakening with tent revivals of thousands of people saying, 'reform or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/we-need-a-revival-in-the-country-paul-said-we-need-another-great/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [We do not project power from bankruptcy court. We're borrowing a million dollars a minute.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/we-do-not-project-power-from-bankruptcy-court-we-re-borrowing-a/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [I can use most of the tools that every American teenager can master. Maybe not all of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-can-use-most-of-the-tools-that-every-american-teenager-can-master/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) [Explore all 449 Rand Paul quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) ## More American citizen quotes > [The sheer evil of antisemitism, left unchecked, has evolved and grown into an ever more virulent hatred, one that no American citizen should ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-britt/the-sheer-evil-of-antisemitism-left-unchecked-has-evolved-and-grown/) [Katie Britt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-britt/) > [Once you step foot on the Supreme Court steps, you lose your first-amendment rights. I don't see how, as an American citizen, you can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raheem-devaughn/once-you-step-foot-on-the-supreme-court-steps-you-lose-your-first/) [Raheem DeVaughn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raheem-devaughn/) > [The typical American citizen is the business man. The typical business man is a bad citizen; he is busy. If he is a 'big…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lincoln-steffens/the-typical-american-citizen-is-the-business-man-the-typical-business/) [Lincoln Steffens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lincoln-steffens/) > [1920 was an auspicious year for a young person to enter the world as an American citizen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-brokaw/1920-was-an-auspicious-year-for-a-young-person-to-enter-the-world-as/) [Tom Brokaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-brokaw/) > [I am an Iranian by birth and of my Islamic faith. I am also an American Citizen and I seek to help change America…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-jarrett/i-am-an-iranian-by-birth-and-of-my-islamic-faith-i-am-also-an/) [Valerie Jarrett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-jarrett/) > [As long as my record stands in federal court, any American citizen can be held in prison or concentration camps without trial or hearing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-korematsu/as-long-as-my-record-stands-in-federal-court-any-american-citizen-can/) [Fred Korematsu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-korematsu/) > [It was a really big deal to become an American citizen the right way. You have to work really hard, and it is such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camila-alves/it-was-a-really-big-deal-to-become-an-american-citizen-the-right-way/) [Camila Alves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camila-alves/) > [I'm a writer. In Latin America, they say I'm a Latin-American writer because I also write in Spanish and my books are translated, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isabel-allende/i-m-a-writer-in-latin-america-they-say-i-m-a-latin-american-writer/) [Isabel Allende](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isabel-allende/) > [I'm not a doctor, nor am I a member of the military. What I am is an appreciative, concerned American citizen, who was horrified…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-wahl/i-m-not-a-doctor-nor-am-i-a-member-of-the-military-what-i-am-is-an/) [Ken Wahl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-wahl/) > [When I became an American citizen, nothing's changed because I'm still Asian.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-o-yang/when-i-became-an-american-citizen-nothing-s-changed-because-i-m-still/) [Jimmy O. Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-o-yang/) > [Finding the Russian scientists may be a problem being that Russia does not have a Social Security System, as here in America, that allows…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/finding-the-russian-scientists-may-be-a-problem-being-that-russia/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [I'm obviously an American citizen. My parents are American citizens. But I'm not looked at as an American.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-castillo/i-m-obviously-an-american-citizen-my-parents-are-american-citizens/) [Ana Castillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-castillo/) > [I'm not an American citizen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-browder/i-m-not-an-american-citizen/) [Bill Browder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-browder/) > [I wanted to participate in the political responsibilities of an American citizen. I wanted to vote. I wanted to be a full member of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-thrun/i-wanted-to-participate-in-the-political-responsibilities-of-an/) [Sebastian Thrun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-thrun/) > [Politics is the practical exercise of the art of self-government, and somebody must attend to it if we are to have self-government; somebody must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elihu-root/politics-is-the-practical-exercise-of-the-art-of-self-government-and/) [Elihu Root](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elihu-root/) [Browse all 168 American citizen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-citizen/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Who gets to decide who's an enemy combatant and who's an American citizen? 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