DNC Chair Ken Martin Criticized for Comparing Trump’s America to Iran’s Regime

Republican officials are sharply criticizing Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin for comparing the United States under President Donald Trump to Iran’s theocratic regime, claiming both exhibit “authoritarian behavior.” The controversy erupts amid nationwide protests following the fatal shooting of a Minnesota woman by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent.

Martin made the comparison in a social media post last Sunday, writing: “From Tehran to my birthplace of Minneapolis, people are rising up against systems that wield violence without accountability. In Iran, brave protestors confront a far-right theocratic regime that crushes dissent and denies basic freedoms.” He continued by drawing parallels between Iranian protesters and Americans demonstrating after the ICE shooting of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three.

The incident that sparked the controversy occurred when an ICE agent shot and killed Good during a federal enforcement operation in south Minneapolis. Federal officials maintain that agents were attempting to make arrests when Good allegedly tried to use her vehicle as a weapon against officers, prompting an agent to fire in self-defense.

Top Democratic officials, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, have rejected the federal account of the incident and disputed claims that the officer acted in self-defense. Minnesota has since sued the Trump administration, claiming the immigration enforcement surge in the state is “unlawful” and “unprecedented.”

The Republican National Committee quickly condemned Martin’s comparison. RNC national press secretary Kiersten Pels called it “a desperate ploy from a man who drove the DNC into financial ruin and political irrelevancy,” adding that Martin is “so unhinged that he’s comparing Tehran to Minneapolis and encouraging violent obstruction of federal law enforcement.”

After facing backlash, Martin doubled down on his comments, writing: “If comparing the U.S. to Iran makes you angry, ask why. Killing protesters. Crushing dissent. Kidnapping and disappearing legal citizens. Ignoring courts. Threatening critics. Terrorizing communities. That’s authoritarian behavior—anywhere.”

The controversy intensified when Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a Trump ally, harshly criticized Martin on Fox News’ “Hannity” program, calling him “a worthless piece of crap” and suggesting he has “the worst case of Trump derangement syndrome in the world.” Martin responded by describing Graham as “a sniveling coward and a Trump bootlicker who hasn’t had a strongly held conviction in decades.”

Despite the Republican criticism, Democratic insiders indicate that many in the party support Martin’s perspective. A DNC committee member who requested anonymity told Fox News Digital, “I think everyone is giving Ken a pass because he is from Minnesota and Minnesota has not been able to catch a break recently.”

Maria Cardona, a DNC committee member and longtime Democratic strategist, defended Martin by arguing he “is not comparing Iran’s autocracy to Trump’s America. He is comparing Iran’s autocracy to Trump’s autocracy, specifically the absolute immunity Trump has given these lawless ICE agents.”

The dispute reflects deeper divisions over Trump’s immigration policies. Recent polls indicate that most Americans disapprove of how ICE is implementing Trump’s mass deportation efforts, though opinions split sharply along party lines, with Republicans generally supportive of ICE and the president.

Meanwhile, in Iran, the situation remains dire. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reports at least 2,677 people have been killed in protests against the regime, with other sources suggesting the death toll exceeds 3,000. These demonstrations against Iran’s economic conditions and political repression are considered among the most violent since the 1979 Islamic Revolution that established the current system of clerical rule.