Trump urges Iran protesters to continue, warns against executions

Trump posted 'HELP IS ON ITS WAY' on Jan. 13, 2026, urging Iranian protesters to continue demonstrations as the verified death toll exceeded 2,403 according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). He threatened Iran with 'very strong action' if the regime executes detained protesters. State Department officials told CNN that Iran planned to execute ESErfan Soltani on Jan. 14, a 20-year-old protester arrested during demonstrations. Trump said he'd receive a briefing on the accurate death toll and canceled all meetings with Iranian officials until the killings stop. Iran's UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani accused Trump of 'encouraging chaos and destabilization' through his public support for protesters.

Trump advised U.S. citizens to leave Iran immediately via Turkey or Armenia land routes, warning that the U.S. can't guarantee their safety. The State Department elevated Iran to Level 4 'Do Not Travel' status. Trump said Americans should 'get out now' because the administration is weighing military responses to the crackdown. The warning suggests Trump is preparing military options—possibly strikes against Revolutionary Guard facilities or leadership—if executions proceed. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the administration has 'all options on the table' including military force to pressure Iran's regime.

That same day Trump championed Iranian protesters' dissent, his Justice Department pressured 🦆Minnesota prosecutors to investigate Renee Good's widow and activist group ties rather than pursue civil rights charges against the ICE agent who shot and killed Good during Minneapolis protests. Six federal prosecutors including Joe Thompson resigned rather than investigate constitutionally protected monitoring of government operations. Trump defends Iranian protesters' right to dissent while his DOJ investigates Americans who monitored ICE operations—protecting free speech abroad while treating it as potential criminal activity at home.

The protests began in early Jan. 2026 after Iran's government raised fuel prices and food costs, sparking demonstrations in Tehran, Mashhad, Isfahan, and other major cities. The government's brutal crackdown included live ammunition against unarmed protesters, mass arrests of over 10,000 people, internet shutdowns to prevent coordination and documentation, and torture of detained protesters according to human rights groups. HRANA verified 2,403 deaths but estimates the actual toll may exceed 3,000. The Revolutionary Guard called protesters 'foreign agents' and 'enemies of the Islamic Republic.' Videos show security forces firing into crowds and beating protesters in custody.

Trump now champions Iranian protesters—a reversal from his first term's Muslim ban targeting Iranian nationals and sanctions that harmed ordinary Iranians. Critics note Trump's inconsistent approach to human rights—championing Iranian protesters while defending Saudi Arabia after journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder and maintaining close ties to authoritarian leaders. The administration argues the difference is strategic: Iran is a U.S. adversary while Saudi Arabia is an ally. However, the selective outrage undermines Trump's credibility as a champion of human rights and reveals realpolitik calculus rather than principled support for dissent.

The administration is considering military responses including strikes on Revolutionary Guard facilities, targeted assassinations of Guard leadership, and support for armed opposition groups inside Iran. Trump has long wanted to confront Iran militarily and views the protests as an opportunity for regime change. However, military strikes could rally Iranians behind the regime, escalate into broader conflict, and undermine the protest movement by allowing the government to blame foreign intervention. Former Obama administration officials warned that U.S. military action would hurt rather than help protesters by giving the regime a nationalist cause to suppress dissent.

Congressional Democrats are urging Trump to pursue diplomatic pressure and sanctions targeting regime officials rather than military strikes. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) said military action would 'hand the regime exactly what it wants—an external enemy to justify crackdowns.' Republicans are divided: hawks like Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) support military options while others like Sen. Rand Paul warn against another Middle East war. Congress is split: Support protesters with words, or risk their lives with bombs? Trump's threat of 'very strong action' suggests he's leaning toward military options despite congressional concerns.