Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich on Tuesday called on “friends of democracy around the world” to reconsider visiting the United States to protest President Donald Trump and his policies.
In an opinion piece for The Guardian, the Bill Clinton-era Cabinet member warned the Trump administration is “brutally attacking U.S. democracy” and, like most bullies, “can be constrained only if everyone stands up to the bullying ― including you.”
Reich pointed out that spending by foreign visitors is a major source of tax revenue for the U.S. economy, arguing: “There’s no reason for you to indirectly support Trump’s economy.”
He also cautioned against entering the country on student or H-1B skilled worker visas, citing safety concerns as Trump’s anti-immigration agenda in recent days took a more chilling turn with the court-defying expulsion of hundreds of people to a Salvadoran prison.
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“Deciding not to come would send a signal that you’re justifiably worried about your safety and as repulsed by the Trump regime’s attacks on democracy as most of us Americans,” Reich concluded. Read the full article here.
Reich’s plea came as the number of visits from Canada to the U.S. already started showing signs of slowing down amid Trump’s attacks on the northern neighbor and rhetoric about turning it into the 51st state.