By Charles Switzer
12:52pm PST, Mar 4, 2025
Kristi Noem's Border Stunt Sparks Outrage
Homeland Security Secretary
Kristi Noem is facing backlash over a bizarre moment during her visit to the U.S.-Canada border in Derby, Vermont, in January. While visiting the Haskell Free Library and Opera House — a unique location that straddles the border with Quebec — Noem repeatedly stepped over a black tape line marking the boundary, declaring "U.S.A. No. 1" on the U.S. side and "The 51st state" upon stepping into Canada.
The incident, described by witnesses as awkward and inappropriate, comes amid growing tensions between the second
Donald Trump administration and Canada over trade policies and territorial rhetoric.
Here's what happened.
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Canadian Officials and Locals React
Deborah Bishop, the library's executive director and a Canadian citizen, expressed her disappointment, saying Noem's actions were disrespectful. "She did it at least three times and was very clear in saying, 'U.S.A. No. 1,' and didn't even say 'Canada.' Just, 'The 51st state,'" Bishop told
The Boston Globe. Volunteers at the library, including both American and Canadian citizens, were similarly unimpressed.
Kathy Converse, a U.S. volunteer, called the stunt inappropriate, saying, "Politics should not come into this."
Meanwhile, Stanstead, Quebec's Mayor
Jody Stone criticized Noem, stating, "It's kind of insulting to
threaten your friends."
Trump's Increasingly Hostile Stance Toward Canada
Noem's comments reflect the Trump administration's often times aggressive rhetoric toward Canada since the president took office in January.
President Trump has openly suggested
annexing Canada, citing its vast natural resources, as he's been caught on record discussing the idea with advisers. Canadian Prime Minister
Justin Trudeau was caught on a hot mic in February warning business leaders that Trump was serious about this claim.
In early March, Trump imposed
new tariffs on Canadian goods, prompting swift retaliation from Trudeau's government.
Social Media and Political Figures Condemn Noem
Noem's actions have ignited criticism on social media, with figures across the political spectrum condemning her remarks. Conservative commentator
Jay Nordlinger of
National Review called her words "not patriotism, but idiotic jingoism, unworthy of a great country."
Roland Paris, a professor at the University of Ottawa, labeled the stunt "insulting, shameful and unprofessional," adding that it was ultimately "childish."
Doug Sanders, a columnist for
The Globe and Mail, even drew comparisons between Noem's rhetoric and Russia's initial moves in Donetsk before the
Ukraine invasion in 2022, warning that such talk should not be dismissed as harmless.
A Diplomatic Fallout in the Making?
With growing tensions between the Trump administration and Canada, Noem's remarks could further strain diplomatic relations, according to some observers.
Whether this incident will lead to formal diplomatic responses remains to be seen, but for many in Canada, Noem's insulting visit will likely be remembered as a symbol of rising hostility from their southern neighbor.
