CNN intern tries to 'fact-check' Dr. Rand Paul and transgender surgery

Someone should really explain to CNN that a rebuttal is not the same thing as a "fact check."

CNN.com on Thursday ran the headline, "Fact-checking Rand Paul's comparisons of genital mutilation and gender confirmation surgery." The article came in response to comments the Republican senator made last week during the confirmation hearing for assistant health secretary nominee Rachel Levine.

Paul had asked Levine, a transgender woman, a series of questions related to transgender health, including so-called "gender confirmation surgery," hormone replacement therapy, and whether minors should be able to undergo such treatment.

"Like surgical mutilation, hormonal interruption of puberty can permanently alter and prevent secondary sexual characteristics," Paul said. He also referred to sex reassignment surgery as "surgical destruction" of the genitalia.