Congressman Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) blasted President Trump’s threats on Friday to intervene as Iran comes down hard on anti-government protests.
By Catholics for Catholics
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) lashed out at President Trump’s threat on Friday to intervene as Iran comes down hard on anti-government protests, contending that the actions would be more about oil than free speech issues.
According to The Hill, Trump vowed on Truth Social that the U.S. will “rescue” protesters if the Iranian government uses violent action against them as demonstrations over the Islamic Republic’s economy expand. He also said the U.S. is “locked and loaded and ready to go” if Iran’s regime killed more protesters.
“If Iran shots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” – President DONALD J. TRUMP pic.twitter.com/ctNbfJD9jv
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 2, 2026
By contrast, Iran countered with angry responses to Trump’s comments, making threats to U.S. troops in the region.
In the past, Massie has been at odds with Trump on several issues. He took to X to respond to Trump’s post with a list of grievances.
First, Massie wrote, “We have problems at home and shouldn’t be wasting military resources on another country’s internal affairs.” The lawmaker also said that strikes on Iran “require Congressional authorization.”
1) We have problems at home and shouldn’t be wasting military resources on another country’s internal affairs.
2) Military strikes on Iran require Congressional authorization.
3) This threat isn’t about freedom of speech in Iran; it’s about the dollar, oil, and Israel. pic.twitter.com/820E6HMoMk
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) January 2, 2026
“This threat isn’t about freedom of speech in Iran; it’s about the dollar, oil, and Israel,” Massie added.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Iran was the fourth-largest crude oil producer among OPEC nations in 2023
But Iran has been undergoing internal turmoil. During the weekend, demonstrations started in the country where economic conditions are getting worse. The Hengaw Organization for Human Rights said Thursday that Iranian authorities have detained at least 29 demonstrators amid the protests.
On Thursday, three demonstrators were killed and 17 others wounded during an attack on a police station in Iran’s western province of Lorestan, according to the semiofficial Far News Agency.
Recently, President Trump has made some harsh remarks against Iran. After a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this week, he threatened the country against undertaking its production of ballistic missiles and conducting tests, saying, “If it’s confirmed, look, there will be consequences.”
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