Republicans Push Back on Trump's Vow to Intervene in Iran: 'We Have Problems At Home'

The President wrote on Truth Social that "the United States of America will come to [Iranian protesters'] rescue," and that it is Tehran's "custom" to kill "peaceful protesters."

Unrest has been driven largely by anger over the rapidly weakening rial, rising prices, and frustration with the pace of economic relief under continued international sanctions. In Tehran, shopkeepers in and around the Grand Bazaar were among those reported to have protested and staged stoppages. Protesters reportedly chanted "Azadi," the Farsi word for freedom, and "Don't be afraid, we are together."

However, Trump is also facing pushback over his comments from within his own party. Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican who has long argued Congress should control decisions that could lead to war, publicly criticized Trump's intervention talk.

Massie wrote on social media that "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."

Massie has long been a critic of President Trump from within the Republican Party since his first term. The Kentucky representative has called out Trump on the release of the Epstein files, his statement on the murder of Rob Reiner, and more. In turn, Trump has called him "the worst Republican Congressman" and "an Embarrassment to Kentucky."

Georgia Representative and former staunch Trump ally Marjorie Taylor Greene also criticized Trump's comments on Iran, stating, "Trump voters spent the week threatening a tax revolt because they are so furious about the never ending waste, fraud, and abuse of their hard earned money going to foreigners and foreign wars. The focus should be on tax dollars here at home and defending our God given freedoms and rights."

Greene began her post by stating, "An Israeli cybersecurity billionaire demanding to take away Americans guaranteed First Amendment Free Speech and President Trump threatening war and sending in troops to Iran is everything we voted against in '24," referring to Check Point and Imperva co-founder Shlomo Kramer's comments on CNBC, calling for Washington to "limit the First Amendment."

Both Massie and Greene made a connection to Israel, implying that an intervention in Iran would be on Jerusalem's behalf, given Trump's reported connection with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu has long been a proponent of U.S. intervention in Iran, claiming over the years that Tehran is on the brink of achieving nuclear capability. Both the U.S. and Israel conducted airstrikes on several Iranian military bases alleged to have nuclear weapons capabilities in June.