Munk Dialogue with Andrew Coyne: Trump’s military speech ramblings should concern every Canadian

Rudyard and Andrew unpack the speeches made this week by U.S. Secretary of Defense Hegseth and President Trump to over 800 military generals. Trump indicated he wants to use American cities as training grounds to fight the enemy within. In plain terms, he wants to stick the military on dissenters in the United States. How much more alarming could this get? What purer definition of fascism is there? There has already been a purge in the senior ranks of the military, and it seems we are about to witness more. Do these generals carry out the orders of their commander-in-chief, or disobey unlawful commands? And what are the consequences of disobeying? Rudyard and Andrew then turn to Trump’s suggestion – once again – of Canada becoming the 51st American state. Rudyard believes this is part of an attempt to get Canada to contribute financially to the Golden Dome defense shield. Is Trump making this a condition of a new trade agreement? Do Canadians still see Mark Carney as the leader best qualified to stand up to Trump and negotiate a good trade deal? And finally, how do we make Canada an attractive location for investment to withstand uncertainty from the U.S.?