Trump earns praise for support of Iranian protesters

President Trump on Sunday earned praise from lawmakers and former government officials for his approach to the protests taking place in Iran.

The Trump administration has taken a strong stance supporting peaceful demonstrators protesting against the government in Tehran, with Trump tweeting about it multiple times and Vice President Pence and United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley also voicing support.

His position has bipartisan appeal, with Democrats including Trump's former presidential opponent Hillary Clinton making similar statements over the last few days in support of protesters.

“The people are finally getting wise as to how their money and wealth is being stolen and squandered on terrorism,” Trump said early Sunday. “Looks like they will not take it any longer. The USA is watching very closely for human rights violations!”

The president's supporters are marketing Trump's approach to Iran as a stark contrast from the Obama administration, which Trump has repeatedly criticized for being too soft on Tehran.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who is considered a prominent voice within the GOP on national security and foreign policy, pointed to Trump's support of Iranian protesters as evidence that Trump has “made good foreign policy choices.”

“He is now on the side of the Iranian people,” Graham told CBS’s “Face the Nation," but went on to urge Trump to do more.
But he has to do more than watch. He actually has to act. And if I were him I would withdraw from the nuclear agreement with Iran next year if it's not made better by the Congress and our European allies," he said.

Graham said Trump’s approach to Iran should be “the exact opposite” of former President Barack Obama, arguing the Obama administration incorrectly prioritized reaching the nuclear agreement with Iran.

“Obama said, ‘I don't want to get involved, I don't want mess up the chance of getting a deal with Iran,’” Graham said. “Well, the deal with Iran hasn't worked. The money didn't go to benefit the people, it went to benefit the Ayatollah and his henchmen.”

Trump has frequently slammed the nuclear agreement, which was reached in 2015 between the United States, Iran and international powers in order to curb Tehran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.