The vice president and a Republican senator clashed over a U.S. military strike that killed 11 people on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean.

Paul, a fellow Republican from Kentucky, then took up the gauntlet. He questioned on social media how Vance could justify killing people accused of a crime without a trial.

“Did he ever wonder what might happen if the accused were immediately executed without trial or representation??” Paul asked. “What a despicable and thoughtless sentiment it is to glorify killing someone without a trial.”

The Pentagon hasn’t released information publicly justifying the destruction of the boat. The Navy and Coast Guard have traditionally intercepted suspected drug smugglers at sea.