Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) has drawn sharp criticism after comparing the idea that rights originate from God rather than laws or government to the ideology of the Iranian regime during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing. The remarks, made in response to Riley Barnes’ nomination as assistant secretary of State for democracy, human rights, and labor, sparked immediate controversy.
Barnes, whose opening statement emphasized that “all men are created equal because our rights come from God, our creator; not from our laws, not from our governments,” faced a direct rebuttal from Kaine. The senator argued that the Iranian government, which he described as a theocratic regime targeting religious minorities, similarly claims rights derive from a divine source. “The notion that rights don’t come from laws or governments but from the Creator is extremely troubling,” Kaine stated, framing the belief as dangerous and incompatible with American principles.
Civil liberties attorney Laura Powell condemned Kaine’s stance, calling it “incredible” that a sitting senator would reject the Declaration of Independence’s foundational premise. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) later criticized Kaine’s comments, labeling them “radical and dangerous” and emphasizing that the phrase “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal” is central to U.S. history. Cruz highlighted Thomas Jefferson’s words, asserting that government protects God-given rights rather than creating them.
Kaine’s remarks drew scrutiny for their historical inaccuracy, as Enlightenment philosophers like John Locke and figures such as Alexander Hamilton explicitly defended natural rights independent of governmental authority. Despite this, Kaine later claimed he “strongly believes in natural rights” but acknowledged potential disagreements over their definitions across religious traditions. The debate underscored deep divisions over the origin of individual liberties and the role of government in safeguarding them.
