At a cozy diner near the U.S.-Canada border, locals express their thoughts on Trump’s presidency, revealing a mix of support and concern.
Brittany Swift was there with her little one and her dad, Keith. They were coming back from a ski trip in Mont Tremblant. Even though they have different political views, they try to keep the peace.
“We just avoid the topic if it gets too heated,” Brittany said. She voted for Kamala Harris, while her dad was thrilled about Trump’s win. He’s always been a Republican and cares a lot about border security.
Just a short drive away is Roxham Road, where many asylum seekers used to cross into Canada. Since it closed, more people have been trying to sneak into the U.S.
While the numbers are lower than at the southern border, Trump has been focusing on the northern border lately. He even hinted at tariffs on Canadian goods if Canada doesn’t step up its border security.
Both Brittany and Keith want a good relationship with Canada, though. “Tariffs wouldn’t help anyone,” Brittany said.
Soon, Brittany’s mom, Lina, joined them. She also voted for Trump, citing the economy and the rule of law as her reasons. She worries about the American dream for her kids.
Nearby, Danielle and Adam were on their way to New York City. They switched from Democrat to Republican and are also concerned about border security. They’ve seen how the closure of Roxham Road has affected their hometown in Maine.
“It’s a mess,” Adam said. “Locals are struggling to find housing because of the influx.”
Carol Behrman, sitting at the bar, had a different take. She’s seen more migrants crossing the border but isn’t bothered by it. “People just want a better life,” she said.
Having lived in Canada for years, she thinks the issue of illegal crossings isn’t new. “Trump didn’t fix it last time, and I doubt he will now,” she added.
