Analysis: Trump Supports Protesters in Iran, but Not in Minneapolis

New York Times - WorldCenter-LeftEN 7 min read 100% complete by Peter BakerJanuary 14, 2026 at 12:52 AM

AI Summary

long article 7 min

In January 2026, President Trump voiced support for Iranian protesters, urging them to "take over" institutions and condemning violence against them. Simultaneously, he denounced protesters in Minneapolis as "anarchists" and "agitators" due to a fraud scandal. This juxtaposition highlights Trump's contrasting views on popular dissent, seemingly based on whether the cause aligns with his interests. He considered military action against Iran's crackdown on protesters, while dismissing concerns about the death of a protester in Minneapolis. The administration also moved to block outside inquiries into the Minneapolis killing. According to a former State Department official, Trump frames each protest movement in terms of himself.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

State Department 30% Amy Hawthorne 30% Renee Nicole Good 40% ICE 40% Peter Baker ×250% Minnesota ×360% Iran ×370% Tehran ×370% Minneapolis ×580% Donald J. Trump ×490%

Keywords

protests 100% donald trump 90% popular dissent 80% iran 70% minneapolis 70% state violence 60% democracy 60% political hypocrisy 50% military strikes 40%