The Unexpected Defenders of Democracy
It’s a strange world when Canada and Mexico—not the U.S. Congress, not the courts, not even the so-called “opposition”—are leading the charge against a sitting American president. But here we are. Jasmine Crockett, a Democratic representative from Texas, put it bluntly: “They are really the ones that are speaking truth to power right now.” Imagine that. Two of America’s closest neighbors calling out the madness while half of Washington either looks away or claps along.
Crockett made the comments on The Breakfast Club, a radio show that, ironically, now seems to have more backbone than most of Capitol Hill. And let’s be clear: she wasn’t wrong. Trump’s return to power has been a whirlwind of reckless policies, bizarre nationalist stunts, and outright attacks on the sovereignty of other nations. And yet, Canada and Mexico—of all places—are the ones drawing the line in the sand.
Mexico’s Response: “We’re Not Your Colony”
When Trump decided to slap the “terrorist” label on Mexican drug cartels, it wasn’t just political theater—it was a green light for military intervention. Never mind that the cartels are largely armed with American weapons. Never mind that U.S. demand fuels the drug trade. Trump wanted to flex, and Mexico was supposed to play along. Instead, President Claudia Sheinbaum shut it down immediately.
“This cannot be an opportunity … to invade our sovereignty,” she said. And just in case Washington didn’t get the message, she added, “With Mexico, it is collaboration and coordination, never subordination or interventionism.” Translation? We’re not your colony.
Imagine the irony: Mexico, a country that has spent decades dealing with U.S. meddling, now has to remind the so-called leader of the free world what sovereignty actually means. And let’s not forget Sheinbaum’s legal threat against Google Maps for renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” at Trump’s insistence. Because, yes, that actually happened.
Trudeau Fires Back: “You Can’t Take Our Country—Or Our Game”
Meanwhile, Canada had its own moment of defiance. After Trump made a bizarre call to a U.S. hockey team—which promptly lost to a Canadian squad—he started running his mouth again about Canada somehow becoming the 51st state. (A joke? A threat? With Trump, it’s never entirely clear.)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wasted no time in responding: “You can’t take our country — and you can’t take our game.” It was classic Trudeau: polite, measured, but with an unmistakable middle finger underneath. And it struck a chord. Canada and Mexico aren’t just defending themselves—they’re standing up to the kind of reckless authoritarianism that the U.S. itself seems unwilling to confront.
The U.S. Response: Silence or Shrugs
Back home, the response has been depressingly predictable. Democrats clutch their pearls, Republicans cheer, and the average American just sighs in exhaustion. Even Crockett, who’s been vocal in her criticisms, isn’t surprised.
“Y’all knew who he was when y’all elected him, so don’t act surprised,” she said. And let’s be real—she’s right. The man was convicted on 34 felony counts, yet here he is, back in the Oval Office. Meanwhile, Crockett, who has no convictions, no arrests, no scandals, knows she wouldn’t even be considered “qualified” in the eyes of millions of Americans. But Trump? Somehow, he’s “good to go.”
It would almost be funny if it weren’t so terrifying.
The Bigger Picture: Who’s Really Leading the Fight?
Crockett didn’t stop at just calling out Trump. She pointed to his other pending legal troubles—his handling of classified documents, his role in the January 6th insurrection—and noted how quickly those cases faded into irrelevance the moment he reclaimed power.
“A guy who literally not only ended up becoming a convicted felon [and] also had other cases that were pending … oh yeah — he’s good to go.” That’s the America we’re in right now.
Meanwhile, most Democrats in Congress are playing it safe. They talk a big game but take little action. A recent SurveyUSA poll revealed that even Democratic voters don’t trust their own party to stand up to Trump. And really, why should they? When the loudest voices of resistance aren’t coming from Capitol Hill but from foreign leaders, something is seriously wrong.
The Takeaway: Canada and Mexico Have More Backbone Than Congress
So here we are. The President of the United States is throwing tantrums, renaming international waters, and picking fights with neighboring countries. And those neighbors? They’re standing up to him in ways American institutions won’t.
Mexico refuses to bow to military threats. Canada isn’t playing along with the fantasy of American expansion. And in the U.S., voices like Jasmine Crockett’s are getting louder—but they’re still outnumbered by silence, complacency, and fear.
If you ever wondered how democracies fall, take a look around. The warning signs aren’t subtle. The question is: Will Americans wake up before it’s too late, or will they just let their northern and southern neighbors fight the battle for them?
