Blue Letter Week-in-Review: Is Trump Going To Invade Canada??

Oh…Canada??

Look, we’ve seen a lot of insane headlines in the Trump era, but the fact an actual U.S. congressman felt the need to introduce a bill preventing America from invading Canada? That’s a new level of dystopian absurdity. Yet, here we are.

Rep. Shri Thanedar, Detroit Democrat, has co-sponsored a bill saying, “no, let’s not go to war with Canada.” Why? Because we have a frothing, fatuous, clementine-faced madman as president who keeps questioning Canada’s autonomy with expansionist rhetoric about its becoming “our beautiful 51st state.”

It becomes no less less absurd, but a lot less funny, when members of our intelligence community leak that if our “President” spoke this way about a non-ally they’d expect an invasion. It loses more non-existent luster when you realize a French-nuclear-attack submarine has docked in Novia Scotia, 300 miles from the U.S. border. So, whatever, (as Wolverine called Deadpool) “God’s Perfect Idiot” is doing, our allies aren’t taking chances. And the thing about placing nuclear subs in play is mistakes happen. So, thanks again, business Republicans. “not voting for the guy but party.” Good job.

Also, I know the French and Canadians have said this isn’t related to Trump, that a plan was already in the works. But, tell me if they’d say anything else if its purpose were very different. Let’s be clear: Trump’s worldview is driven by resentment and delusions of power. Canada—with a functioning democracy, progressive policies and refusal to bow to him—is like a giant middle finger to the black hole parading around in a meatsuit putting his grubby, toddler-esque fingers on everything he can stroke.

So yeah, I’d bet he’d love to start barking about Trudeau being a “globalist tyrant” before slapping his name on the CN Tower. And with a cadre of far-right freaks whispering in his ear (the shot one showing no real sign of injury), who see democracy as nuisance, not principle, who knows some lunatic “preemptive strike” plan won’t emerge from the Mar-a-Lago crapper—aka the stolen, classified-document storage unit?

Canada is literally worried that the U.S. might, under Trump, become unstable enough to lash out militarily. This isn’t The Handmaid’s Tale creeping into reality—it’s history repeating itself. Right-wing mooks always search for external enemies, and when Trump runs outta targets at home, why wouldn’t he look for a neighbor to bully? His MAGA hordes already believe Canadian to be some kinda Maoist villain-state, so a propaganda campaign practically writes itself.

The good news? Canada, besides having a prime minister who can string sentences together, has an actual functioning democracy—one that protects itself from aspiring despots. But the bill Thanedar co-sponsored? A grim reminder we must speak openly —indeed raise our voices in America and around the world—in pre-protest. Because if we let Trump have free rein, we won’t just be fighting for the soul of America—we may have a South Park movie come to life—a horrific one not the slightest bit funny.

…Other stories we’re watching

• Democrats have done a valiant job fighting a GOP continuing resolution that NEEDS Senate Democrats to overcome a filibuster. We were in great shape to block it & shut down the government—something I’d never normally push—but the Republican bill endorses the Trump/DOGE slush fund lacking any oversight.

  House Dem Rosa DeLauro (CT-03): “..it gives Elon Musk and President Donald Trump even more flexibility to steal from the middle class, from seniors, from veterans, from working people, from small businesses and from farmers, all to pay for tax breaks for billionaires." Everyone from AOC to Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Senators Mark Warner to Chris Van Hollen—all wings of the party—have stood firm against it. But last night, in an inexplicable move Praised By Donald Trump, Senate Leader Chuck Schumer said he’d give Republicans the votes.

• Republicans, when they don’t get what they want, storm the Capitol. Democrats, even when we have the votes to stop something horrific, well, this happens, and it can’t and shouldn’t. I’m a Democrat through-and-through. I’ve worked for members all the way up to the top, writing ads for President Joe Biden in 2020. Our party’s getting more fierce, but conflict-aversion only harms us & empowers Trump. If Schumer does this, gives into fascism without a fight & against the wishes of his party, it will be a terrible setback

  Please contact Schumer’s office NOW at the link below and let his staff know he CANNOT do this.

  https://www.schumer.senate.gov/contact/message-chuck

• Today veterans are marching in Washington, DC, to protest Donald Trump and support everything from freedom in Ukraine to Social Security. They picked today because it’s 3/14—or the 14th Amendment Section III—which says those who engage in “insurrection” must be barred from office. Trump never should’ve been able to run again. He only could due to the failure of Mitch McConnell, our hijacked Supreme Court and a GOP Congress’ refusal to hold him accountable.

Our Video On Demand! This is how Democratic leaders lead. Watch Jamie Raskin take apart the obnoxious mid-management, failed-his-way-up, mediocrity you encounter at so many companies, Jim Jordan.

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