Jason Stanley, a Yale professor who relocated to Canada due to Donald Trump’s presidency, has criticized Canadians expressing a desire to visit or relocate to the United States. Stanley, now teaching at the University of Toronto’s Munk School after leaving Yale in 2025, labeled such Canadians as nearly ‘traitorous,’ arguing that the U.S. has become ‘fascist’ under Trump. He encouraged Canada to embrace a ‘robust nationalism’ by rejecting what he perceives as America’s new values characterized by cruelty and intolerance.

Originally from Syracuse, the professor expressed frustration that many Canadians continue to discuss American universities, travel, and economic prospects as if financial incentives could outweigh the rise of white supremacy and fascism. Praising Canada’s democratic freedoms, Stanley cautioned his fellow Canadians, asserting, “America is not your friend.” He elaborated in the Toronto Star, noting the U.S. has been drifting towards fascism for some time, prompting his family’s move to Canada last March. During his brief residence, Stanley has observed a concerning level of naivety among Canadians regarding developments in the U.S.

“We are incredibly fortunate to reside in this country, yet I’ve encountered Canadians who would still prefer living in the U.S.,” Stanley remarked, considering such sentiments nearly traitorous. His commentary followed a tumultuous start to 2026 when U.S. special forces apprehended Maduro in Caracas, transporting him to New York on narcoterrorism charges. The mission, called ‘Operation Absolute Resolve,’ led Trump to announce a temporary U.S. administration of Venezuela without detailing a transition strategy. Stanley suggested that, like Ukraine, Canada’s nationalism should focus on defending core democratic principles. While investing in the military and enhancing infrastructure is vital, Canada must also foster a pervasive mistrust of its southern neighbor.

Stanley also said that American immigration enforcement now functions as an internal security force loyal to the president alone. ‘ICE is now an internal security force, seemingly beholden to Trump alone,’ he wrote, claiming the agency ‘continues to terrorize US civilians.’ He cited the January 7 fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer in Minneapolis, as well as policies he said have effectively sealed the US border to refugees and asylum seekers. Stanley also said the Justice Department has been weaponized against Trump’s opponents, claimed non‑citizens have ‘no right to free speech,’ and cited Stephen Miller’s remarks as evidence the administration favors rule by force.

‘All Canadians must now recognize that their once-reliable ally poses a genuine existential threat to the free world,’ Stanley wrote, warning that annexation remains ‘on the table.’ Stanley said he was ‘shocked’ by Canadians who spoke unapologetically about vacationing there or who spent their ‘Canadian-earned fortunes’ supporting American universities. ‘Canada is a free democracy, one that embraces diversity and tolerance,’ he concluded. ‘For that very reason, America is not your friend… It is time we started living in the real world.’ Stanley has echoed similar warnings in interviews over the past year.

When he accepted the Toronto teaching position, he told The Guardian in March 2025 that he left Yale after Columbia University ‘capitulated’ to federal pressure, calling the university’s approach a ‘losing strategy’ and saying he wanted to raise his children in a country ‘that is not tilting toward a fascist dictatorship.’ By late 2025, Stanley went further, telling Mother Jones: ‘Yes, a coup is happening in the United States,’ adding that remaining at Yale would have meant pressure not to draw the Trump administration’s ‘wrath’ onto the university. The Daily Mail has reached out to Stanley for comment.