Trump Administration and Civil Liberties

DNC Chair Ken Martin defended a social post likening the U.S. under former President Trump to Iran’s theocratic regime — framing "Tehran to Minneapolis" as shared systems that "wield violence without accountability" and tying protests over the Renee Good shooting to protests against Iran’s clerical regime — and said he would wear Sen. Lindsey Graham’s condemnation "as a badge of honor." Republican allies blasted the remarks, with an RNC spokesperson calling Martin "unhinged," Graham calling him a "worthless piece of crap," and RNC press secretary Kiersten Pels accusing him of encouraging obstruction, while a DNC source and an anonymous committee member said party officials largely supported the "general gist" of his comments.