U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder testifies during a hearing on the "Oversight of the Justice Department" held by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder Reuters

U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-W.V., isn’t the only lawmaker concerned about Attorney General Eric Holder’s admission that drone strikes could occur within the United States.

His colleague, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, pressed Holder on the subject during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday, laying out hypothetical situations and asking whether they could ignite a potential drone attack.

Cruz, for instance, asked whether a U.S. citizen accused of terrorist activity could be targeted while drinking coffee at a café. Although Holder said he didn't think it would be constitutional to use lethal force in such a case, the freshman senator wouldn't let his point rest.

"With all respect, General Holder, my question wasn't appropriateness or prosecutorial discretion, it is a simple legal question," Cruz continued. "Does the constitution allow a U.S citizen on U.S. soil who doesn't pose an imminent threat to be killed by the U.S. government?"

While Holder reiterated that the scenario was purely hypothetical, Cruz maintained he was looking for a one-word answer – “No.”

Watch the exchange in the video, above.

RELATED STORIES