Who Deserves Sympathy? The Politics of Victimhood
A Note Before We Begin
If this feels like an attack on Trump, I need to address that upfront.
I tried to write this like an outside observer would—documenting what happened without partisan spin. I looked for examples across the political spectrum. I stuck to things that actually occurred, that are documented, that you can verify.
And the result still appears heavily focused on Trump.
That’s not bias. That’s volume.
When I looked for comparable examples of saying “I don’t know who she was” about an assassinated lawmaker three months after initially condemning her murder, of giving one victim the Medal of Freedom while claiming ignorance of another, of calling video evidence “fake” when it contradicts the official narrative, of threatening American protesters with military force while praising Iranian protesters for the exact same actions in the same week—the examples came overwhelmingly from one source.
Previous presidents had scandals and hypocrisy. But we’ve never had a president who said “such horrific violence will not be tolerated” about a murdered lawmaker, then three months later responded “I’m not familiar. The who?” when asked about her. Who mocked a critic the day after his murder. Who called an American citizen shot by a federal agent a “domestic terrorist” while video showed her fleeing. Who promised military support to Iranian protesters while threatening military force against Minneapolis protesters in the same week.
This volume didn’t exist before. Documenting it isn’t bias. It’s documentation.
What this series is: An examination of how empathy has become transactional in politics, how moral standards apply selectively based on political utility, and how we’re losing shared reality.
What this isn’t: A defense of Democrats (Part 3 covers their issues), a claim that “both sides are the same” (they measurably aren’t), or an attack on Republican voters (it’s about techniques, not people).
The facts are checkable. If they’re wrong, I want to know. But if they’re right and it still feels wrong, that might not be about the documentation.
Who Deserves Sympathy?
On June 14, 2025, Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman was murdered along with her husband Mark in their home. The killer, Vance Luther Boelter, dressed as a police officer. He had a hit list of nearly 70 people—mostly Democratic lawmakers and abortion providers. Federal prosecutors documented his manifesto, his weapons, his explicit political motivations.
That same day, President Trump issued a statement: “Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America.”
Three months later, when a reporter asked Trump why he lowered flags for conservative activist Charlie Kirk but not for Hortman, Trump responded: “I’m not familiar. The who?”
When told “the Minnesota House Speaker, a Democrat who was assassinated this summer,” Trump claimed he would have lowered the flags if Governor Tim Walz had asked him.
(Note: Walz did publicly request federal flags be lowered in Minnesota. Trump either didn’t receive or ignored the request.)
The day after Hortman’s murder, Trump was asked if he’d call Walz. His response: “I think the governor of Minnesota is so whacked out. I’m not calling him. Why would I call him? I could call and say, ‘Hi, how you doing?’ The guy doesn’t have a clue. He’s a mess. I could be nice and call, but why waste time?”
He didn’t attend her funeral. Biden and Harris did. Trump was golfing with Republican leaders that day.
In January 2026, six months after her death, Trump shared a conspiracy theory claiming Walz was “complicit” in Hortman’s murder. When her children publicly asked him to remove the post, noting their mother was killed by a right-wing extremist who believed conspiracy theories, Trump did not respond.
Compare that to Charlie Kirk.
September 10, 2025: Conservative activist and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was shot and killed during a campus speaking event at Utah Valley University. A 22-year-old named Tyler Robinson was arrested the next day. Prosecutors said Robinson’s motive appeared related to Kirk’s anti-LGBTQ rhetoric.
Within hours of Kirk’s death, Trump made a video statement from the Oval Office:
“I am filled with grief and anger at the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk. Charlie inspired millions and tonight all who knew him and loved him are united in shock and horror. This is a dark moment for America. Charlie Kirk has become a martyr for truth and freedom.”
The next day, Trump posthumously awarded Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He ordered flags lowered to half-staff immediately. He blamed “radical left political violence.”
Within 48 hours, more than 600 people across the country were fired from their jobs for social media posts celebrating or joking about Kirk’s death. Foreign students had visas revoked for comments. ABC pulled Jimmy Kimmel’s show for a week after he made a joke. Federal prosecutors announced investigations into “conspiracy to silence conservative speech.”
The message was crystal clear: Celebrating political violence is unacceptable, fireable, potentially criminal.
That was the standard. Remember it.
Case 1: The Measured Response vs. The Missing One
Melissa Hortman – June 14, 2025
- Killed by Vance Boelter, evangelical preacher with hit list of 70+ Democrats
- Federal documents showed explicit political motivation
- Assassin voted Republican since 2008, had Trump-supporting social media
(Source: Federal charging documents, Boelter’s wife’s statement that his actions were “a betrayal of our Christian faith,” and social media posts documented by federal investigators)
Trump’s response timeline:
- Day of (June 14): Brief statement – “violence will not be tolerated”
- Day after (June 15): Called Walz “whacked out,” said calling him would “waste time”
- Funeral (June 28): Trump went golfing instead
- Three months later (Sept 15): “I’m not familiar. The who?”
- Six months later (Jan 2026): Shared conspiracy blaming Walz for her death
No:
- Medal of Freedom
- Lowered flags
- National address
- Federal investigations into celebratory posts
- Attendance at funeral
Charlie Kirk – September 10, 2025
- Killed by Tyler Robinson during campus event
- Shooter’s mother said he’d become “more political” and “pro-gay and trans-rights oriented”
- Police found no manifesto, no hit list
- Charged with aggravated murder
Trump’s response timeline:
- Within 6 hours: Video from Oval Office declaring Kirk “martyr for truth and freedom”
- Within 24 hours: Posthumous Medal of Freedom awarded
- Within 48 hours: Flags lowered, federal investigations launched, 600+ people fired
The difference? Political alignment.
One was a sitting state legislator, former Speaker of the House, killed by a right-wing extremist with a documented political hit list.
The other was a conservative activist killed in a chaotic situation with no evidence of organized conspiracy.
One got a brief, impersonal statement and later amnesia.
The other got the Medal of Freedom and a national day of mourning.
Case 2: Rob Reiner – Mocked the Day After
December 14, 2025: Director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were found stabbed to death in their Los Angeles home. Their son Nick, who had struggled with addiction and mental health issues for years, was arrested and charged with their murders.
This was a family tragedy. Not political assassination. A son with documented drug problems and psychiatric issues killed his parents.
The day after their bodies were found, Trump posted on Truth Social:
“A very sad thing happened last night in Hollywood. Rob Reiner, a tortured and struggling, but once very talented movie director and comedy star, has passed away, together with his wife, Michele, reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME, sometimes referred to as TDS.”
He continued: “He was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump, with his obvious paranoia reaching new heights as the Trump Administration surpassed all goals and expectations of greatness.”
When asked at a White House briefing if he stood by these comments, Trump doubled down: “I wasn’t a fan of his at all. He was a deranged person as far as Trump is concerned. I thought he was very bad for our country.”
The reaction:
YouGov poll: 72% of Americans said Trump’s response was inappropriate (including 43% of Republicans).
Even Trump allies expressed discomfort. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY): “Regardless of how you felt about Rob Reiner, this is inappropriate and disrespectful discourse about a man who was just brutally murdered.”
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene: “This is a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies.”
Context worth noting: Rob Reiner had responded with grace when Charlie Kirk was killed three months earlier. In an interview with Piers Morgan, Reiner said Kirk’s death was “an absolute horror” and “beyond belief. That should never happen to anybody. I don’t care what your political beliefs are.”
Remember the standard established after Kirk’s death?
More than 600 people were fired for making comments about Kirk’s death. The message was clear: celebrating or mocking political opponents’ deaths is unacceptable.
Unless you’re the President. Then zero consequences.
Case 3: Two U.S. Citizens Killed in Minneapolis – Both Labeled “Domestic Terrorists”
January 7, 2026: Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, poet, and mother of three, was shot and killed by ICE agent Jonathan Ross in Minneapolis.
The Department of Homeland Security immediately released a statement: Good was “stalking and impeding” officers’ work and tried to “weaponize her vehicle” to run over an agent.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem: Good ignored commands and “attempt[ed] to kill or to cause bodily harm to agents.”
Trump’s Truth Social post that evening: “Another radical leftist tries to kill our brave ICE agents. Domestic terrorist ELIMINATED. This is what happens when you attack law enforcement.”
Then the video came out.
(Note: Video from multiple angles, including the agent’s own phone, was released by Minneapolis Police Department within 48 hours. The “domestic terrorist” label came before this video evidence was public.)
Multiple angles, including from the agent’s own phone, showed:
- Good’s car was stopped sideways in the street
- Officers approached her vehicle
- One officer tried to open her door, reaching through her open window
- Good briefly backed up, then began pulling away
- She turned her steering wheel sharply to the right, AWAY from the officers
- Agent Ross fired three shots as she was driving past him
- Her vehicle crashed into a light pole
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey watched the video: “Having seen the video myself, I want to tell everybody directly that is bullshit. To ICE, get the fuck out of Minneapolis.”
Trump’s response to the video evidence: Called it “manipulated” and “fake news.” “Don’t believe what you see.”
What happened next:
- Three federal prosecutors in Minneapolis resigned, citing “pressure to manufacture evidence against Good’s widow”
- Five more federal prosecutors resigned over the Justice Department’s “reluctance to investigate the shooter”
- DOJ opened investigations—not of Agent Ross, but of the prosecutors who resigned
- Agent Ross was not charged, not suspended, received a commendation from DHS
- Back on duty within 72 hours
Meanwhile: A fundraising campaign for Ross raised $375,000.
17 Days Later: Alex Jeffrey Pretti
On January 24, 2026—just 17 days after Renee Good’s killing—federal Border Patrol agents shot and killed Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Pretti was protesting Renee Good’s killing.
Pretti was a federal employee himself, a member of the American Federation of Government Employees union. He was a lawful gun owner with a Minnesota carry permit. He had no criminal record—only traffic tickets. He was exercising his First and Second Amendment rights at a legal protest.
The administration’s immediate response:
Stephen Miller (White House advisor): “Domestic terrorist.”
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem: Pretti “brandished” a gun at officers and “attacked” them.
Gregory Bovino (Border Patrol Commander): “The victims are the Border Patrol agents. The suspect put himself in that situation.” And: “This looks like a situation where an individual wanted to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement.”
Then the video came out.
Multiple bystander videos, verified by Reuters, BBC, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, AP, and CNN, showed:
- Pretti filming with his cell phone (not holding a gun)
- A federal agent pushing a woman to the ground
- Pretti stepping between the agent and the woman to protect her
- The agent pepper-spraying Pretti
- Six federal agents wrestling Pretti to the ground
- An agent removing the gun from Pretti
- One second later, a different agent shooting Pretti at least 10 times
Pretti’s parents released a statement: “He has his phone in his right hand and his empty left hand is raised above his head while trying to protect the woman ICE just pushed down all while being pepper sprayed. Please get the truth out about our son. He was a good man.”
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara: “This is the third shooting now in less than three weeks by federal agents. Minneapolis had only 3 homicides in 2026 so far, and two of those were carried out by federal immigration enforcement agents. The Minneapolis Police Department went the entire year last year recovering about 900 guns from the street, arresting hundreds and hundreds of violent offenders, and we didn’t shoot anyone.”
Federal agents responsible for 67% of Minneapolis homicides in 2026.
Even gun rights groups objected.
The National Rifle Association: “Responsible public voices should be awaiting a full investigation, not making generalizations and demonizing law-abiding citizens.” The NRA noted it’s legal to carry firearms during protests or while exercising First Amendment rights.
Even the Republican lawyer who defended the agent who killed Renee Good quit over this.
Chris Madel, a Republican gubernatorial candidate, had previously represented ICE agent Jonathan Ross (who killed Renee Good). After Pretti’s shooting, Madel dropped out of the race, citing Pretti’s killing as the reason. He said: “I could not support the Republican party for what he called ‘retribution.’”
The lawyer who defended the first shooter quit the Republican party over the second shooting.
The pattern:
- Two U.S. citizens killed in 17 days
- Both labeled “domestic terrorists” despite video evidence
- Both exercising constitutional rights (fleeing, protesting, carrying lawfully)
- Federal narratives contradicted by video in both cases
- Federal forces kill protesters protesting federal killing
This is not “law and order.” This is federal agents killing American citizens and calling them terrorists.
Case 4: Iranian “Patriots” vs. Minneapolis “Insurrectionists”
This is where it all crystallizes. Same week. Same president. Same situation. Opposite responses.
January 2, 2026 – Trump on Iranian protesters (protesting government violence):
“The brave patriots of Iran are rising up against their oppressor government. We stand with them. America is LOCKED AND LOADED to rescue our people and support freedom fighters. Help is on the way!”
January 7 – Renee Good shot by ICE agent. Video shows her fleeing.
Trump: “Domestic terrorist ELIMINATED.”
January 13 – Trump on Iranian protesters (continued):
“To the Iranian people: KEEP PROTESTING. TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS. We support your fight for freedom. Your government is illegitimate. Rise up!”
January 15 – Protests in Minneapolis demanding accountability for Agent Ross.
Trump: “The insurrection in Minneapolis must end immediately. I am prepared to invoke the Insurrection Act and send military forces to PUT AN END TO THIS TRAVESTY. These domestic terrorists will face justice.”
Let’s be very clear about what happened here.
The situation in both cases:
- Government agents killed citizens
- Citizens protested government violence
- Protesters demanded accountability
Trump on Iranian protesters:
- “Patriots”
- “Freedom fighters”
- “TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS”
- Military support offered against their government
- “KEEP PROTESTING”
Trump on Minneapolis protesters:
- “Insurrection”
- “Domestic terrorists”
- “TRAVESTY”
- Military force threatened AGAINST them
- Must stop immediately
Same week. Same president. Same situation. Opposite labels.
The only difference: Iranian protests embarrass a geopolitical opponent. Minneapolis protests embarrass the Trump administration.
The Pattern
| Victim/Situation | Context | Trump Response | Consequences |
| Melissa Hortman | Murdered by right-wing extremist with hit list of 70+ Democrats | Initial: “won’t be tolerated”<br>3 months later: “I’m not familiar. The who?” | No flags lowered<br>No funeral attendance<br>Later shared conspiracy blaming Walz |
| Charlie Kirk | Killed during campus event, shooter motivated by Kirk’s rhetoric | Within hours: Medal of Freedom<br>”Martyr for truth and freedom”<br>National address | Flags lowered<br>600+ people fired for comments<br>Federal investigations |
| Rob Reiner | Killed by son (family tragedy, mental health/addiction) | Mocked day after death<br>Blamed “Trump Derangement Syndrome” | 72% of Americans said inappropriate<br>Zero consequences for Trump |
| Renee Good | Shot by ICE while fleeing (on video) | “Domestic terrorist eliminated”<br>Video called “fake” | Prosecutors who wouldn’t manufacture evidence resigned<br>Agent commended |
| Iranian protesters | Protesting government violence | “Patriots,” “freedom fighters”<br>Military support offered | “TAKE OVER INSTITUTIONS” |
| Minneapolis protesters | Protesting government violence (same week) | “Insurrectionists,” “domestic terrorists”<br>Military force threatened | Insurrection Act threatened |
What This Means
This isn’t random. This is systematic.
Empathy is transactional: You receive sympathy if you’re politically useful. You’re a terrorist if you’re politically inconvenient.
Standards are selective: Mocking political opponents’ deaths is either fireable or presidential conduct, depending on who’s doing it.
Language has no fixed meaning: “Patriot” and “terrorist,” “freedom” and “insurrection” don’t describe actions—they describe political utility.
Evidence doesn’t matter: Video showing Good fleeing gets called “fake.” Court documents showing Boelter’s motives get memory-holed.
“Do unto others” has become “Do unto others if they’re on my team.”
When the same actions receive opposite responses based entirely on political alignment, when empathy becomes a political calculation, when “patriot” and “terrorist” are determined by whose side you’re on rather than what you’re doing, what happens to democracy?
That’s what the rest of this series explores.
Next in Part 2: “My Own Morality” – What Trump means when he says his own morality is all that limits him, and how that compares to the Christian values his supporters claim to hold.
Part 1 of 5 in the “Do Unto Others” series
Events documented in this article:
- Melissa Hortman assassination: June 14, 2025 (NBC, CBS, PBS, ABC, DOJ federal charging documents, Wikipedia)
- Charlie Kirk assassination: September 10, 2025 (CNN, NPR, Washington Post, FBI statements, Wikipedia)
- Rob Reiner murders: December 14, 2025 (NPR, ABC, CNN, LAPD statements, YouGov polling)
- Renee Good shooting: January 7, 2026 (NBC, CNN, Minneapolis PD, released video footage, federal prosecutor resignation letters)
- Trump statements: Truth Social posts (archived), White House briefing transcripts, news conference recordings
Fact-Checking Invitation
If any facts in this article are inaccurate, please provide sources and I will correct them immediately. This series is about documented patterns, not partisan narratives. Every claim is checkable. If something is wrong, show me the evidence.
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