Americans Shouldn’t Need an Exit Plan: Stand up for Democracy

It is a national disgrace that growing numbers of Americans are considering fleeing the United States out of fear for their safety and rights. Since Trump returned to office, people are seeking refuge in countries like Ireland, Canada, Portugal, and New Zealand—not just for economic reasons, but to live under functioning democracies. This is not normal. It’s a sign that many no longer trust our government to protect their freedoms. The most heartbreaking part is who’s leaving: educators, veterans, LGBTQ Americans, and even families with children who fear the erosion of civil liberties and rising political extremism. These are not alarmists—they are people who have lost faith that their country will protect them. It is deeply un-American that our own citizens feel they must run from the very nation that claims to stand for freedom. This moment demands action. Our democracy is crumbling before our eyes—through executive overreach, weakened institutions, and attacks on the rule of law. I urge you to stand up now. Defend the Constitution. Defend truth. Defend the basic promise that America is a place people run to—not flee from.