In a move that could be charitably described as unconventional—and less charitably as outlandish—New York State Senator Liz Krueger floated the idea of northeastern states seceding from the United States to join Canada in response to Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Krueger, a Democrat who chairs the New York State Senate Finance Committee, argued that the drastic measure might be necessary to address what she views as an untenable political landscape under Trump’s second term.
In an interview, Krueger defended her proposal as “thinking outside the box,” a phrase that here seems to translate into entertaining geopolitical fantasies. The senator suggested that New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Connecticut could collectively become Canada’s newest province, aligning themselves with what she considers a more compatible political ideology. While her comments were likely intended to make a statement, they’ve sparked considerable debate—and not a little mockery.
Krueger elaborated further in September, acknowledging the practical hurdles of such a move. She noted that Canada had previously expressed a less-than-enthusiastic attitude toward welcoming American states into their political fold. “I know that Canada has basically said, ‘Yeah, we’re not letting you all in if he wins,’” Krueger admitted, referencing informal feedback she claims to have received. Despite this chilly reception from the north, Krueger persisted, arguing that a coalition of progressive northeastern states would fit neatly within Canada’s political framework.
The senator also pointed to shared progressive values as a key reason these states would align well with Canada. She argued that most residents in the proposed coalition are Democrats with political ideologies she believes mirror those of Canada’s leadership. However, her timing might be off—polls suggest Canada’s Conservative Party is on the verge of ousting Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party, making her theory about ideological alignment questionable at best.
While Krueger claims to have received informal encouragement from political figures in Ottawa, the practicality of her idea remains dubious. The suggestion that states could simply integrate into Canada overlooks significant legal, cultural, and logistical challenges. Even if the proposal is “sellable in Ottawa,” as Krueger optimistically asserts, it’s unclear how seriously anyone—on either side of the border—is taking the notion. For now, her comments seem less like a viable policy proposal and more like a political protest wrapped in wishful thinking.
In a move that could be charitably described as unconventional—and less charitably as outlandish—New York State Senator Liz Krueger floated the idea of northeastern states seceding from the United States to join Canada in response to Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Krueger, a Democrat who chairs the New York State Senate Finance Committee, argued that the drastic measure might be necessary to address what she views as an untenable political landscape under Trump’s second term. In an interview, Krueger defended her proposal as “thinking outside the box,” a phrase that here seems to translate into entertaining geopolitical fantasies. The senator suggested that New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Connecticut could collectively become Canada’s newest province, aligning themselves with what she considers a more compatible political ideology. While her comments were likely intended to make a statement, they’ve sparked considerable debate—and not a little mockery. Krueger elaborated further in September, acknowledging the practical hurdles of such a move. She noted that Canada had previously expressed a less-than-enthusiastic attitude toward welcoming American states into their political fold. “I know that Canada has basically said, ‘Yeah, we’re not letting you all in if he wins,’” Krueger admitted, referencing informal feedback she claims to have received. Despite this chilly reception from the north, Krueger persisted, arguing that a coalition of progressive northeastern states would fit neatly within Canada’s political framework. The senator also pointed to shared progressive values as a key reason these states would align well with Canada. She argued that most residents in the proposed coalition are Democrats with political ideologies she believes mirror those of Canada’s leadership. However, her timing might be off—polls suggest Canada’s Conservative Party is on the verge of ousting Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party, making her theory about ideological alignment questionable at best. While Krueger claims to have received informal encouragement from political figures in Ottawa, the practicality of her idea remains dubious. The suggestion that states could simply integrate into Canada overlooks significant legal, cultural, and logistical challenges. Even if the proposal is “sellable in Ottawa,” as Krueger optimistically asserts, it’s unclear how seriously anyone—on either side of the border—is taking the notion. For now, her comments seem less like a viable policy proposal and more like a political protest wrapped in wishful thinking.