Senator Ted Cruz has faced widespread mockery online after calling for the United States to arm protesters in Iran, just days after two demonstrators were shot dead by federal agents in Minnesota. In a post on X, the Texas Republican wrote: “We should be arming the protesters in Iran. NOW. For the Iranian people to overthrow the Ayatollah – a tyrant who routinely chants ‘death to America’ – would make America much, much safer.”
The comments come amid ongoing unrest in Minneapolis, where 37-year-old Alex Pretti and Renee Good were killed by Border Patrol agents during protests. Social media users were quick to highlight what they described as “real-time hypocrisy,” noting that armed protesters in the US have been met with lethal force. One user wrote: “Oh the hypocrisy. Welcome to Clown World. You can’t make this s**t up folks.”
Pretti’s death has sparked outrage across the political spectrum, with even Cruz warning the Trump administration to adopt a more measured tone. “Escalating the rhetoric doesn't help and it actually loses credibility,” he said in a recent interview, adding that politicians “pouring gasoline onto this fire” should stop.
The incident has also drawn criticism from gun rights advocates. The National Rifle Association pushed back against claims by President Donald Trump and a Trump-appointed official that Pretti should not have been carrying a firearm, despite having a lawful permit. The NRA called the official’s warning that approaching law enforcement with a gun could lead to being shot “dangerous and wrong.”
Meanwhile, Border Patrol “commander at large” Gregory Bovino has been removed from Minneapolis and replaced by border czar Tom Homman. Two agents involved in Pretti’s killing have been placed on administrative leave as an internal investigation continues.
