Trump's US Constitutional Crisis Makes Watergate Look Like Child's Play

Recapping Episode 117 of The Bill Kelly Podcast.

Apr 12, 2025

The Canadian election may be grabbing headlines, but there's something happening south of the border that can't be ignored, especially given the ripples it’s sending across the globe. I'm, of course, talking about the recent chaos unfolding in the United States under President Donald Trump—tariffs, market volatility, and a level of instability that’s having far-reaching consequences for both the U.S. and countries like Canada.

It's baffling to watch. Trump's erratic behavior is disturbing enough, but what’s perhaps more unnerving is the reaction from his supporters. Over on social media, the outrage is palpable. Calls for impeachment, for invoking a mental incapacity clause, or even just removing him from office entirely have become a daily chorus. But let's get one thing straight—none of this is going to happen.

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Why? Because the MAGA movement controls all the levers of power, from the White House to the Supreme Court. The constitutional checks and balances we once relied upon are no longer functioning the way they were intended. Instead of holding Trump accountable, the Republican party has fully bought into the narrative, regardless of the blatant lies or destructive policies coming from the top.

Trump's influence over his supporters is almost cult-like. His mistakes are overlooked or rationalized, and the lies are defended as if they were truth. Whether his followers actually believe it or not seems beside the point—they’re on a mission to sell those lies to anyone who will listen. This isn’t just frustrating; it’s downright frightening.

And as much as we in Canada can criticize and shake our heads, the American people are the ones stuck with this. As we look back at last November’s election, it's easy to say that this could have been avoided. But the reality is, it wasn’t. The situation is what it is, and it’s up to the U.S. to figure it out.

The Tariff Debacle and Its Global Impact

Let’s shift focus to something more specific: the recent tariff fiasco. For those who didn’t catch it, Trump made waves last week by introducing new tariffs in a bizarre and arbitrary fashion. The Rose Garden event, with Trump flanked by charts and graphs, looked more like a circus than a well-thought-out policy rollout. According to some of those involved, many of the numbers he cited were simply pulled out of thin air. They didn’t have solid data to back up any of the claims.

Now, for those of us living in countries that depend on trade, these decisions have serious consequences. The global economy is intertwined, and when the U.S. economy falters, we feel it. Case in point: the stock market crashed in response to Trump’s tariff announcements. Then, in what can only be described as a political about-face, Trump suddenly reversed course and rescinded the tariffs, claiming credit for an overnight recovery.

But let’s not kid ourselves. The reality is this: Trump may have “saved” the economy in the short term, but only because he drove it to the brink in the first place. Imagine being held over a cliff and then yanked back at the last second—did the person who saved you really save your life, or did they almost end it? Trump’s behavior is akin to a high-stakes game of financial roulette, and the people who stand to benefit most from his unpredictable actions are his billionaire friends—Elon Musk included. They’ve made a lot of money by riding the waves of Trump’s financial manipulation. And yet, Trump remains untouchable, shielded by a political structure that allows him to operate with impunity.

In the face of such blatant market manipulation, it’s hard not to draw comparisons to past cases of insider trading—like when Martha Stewart was jailed for much less egregious offenses. The law is supposed to apply to everyone equally, yet here we are, watching a sitting president engage in activities that should have landed him in legal trouble long ago.

The Frightening Reality of MAGA Politics

This political circus has become the new normal, and it’s having a devastating impact on the United States. People are frustrated, and not just those who voted against Trump. I’ve heard from numerous former Trump voters who are now deeply regretting their choice. But of course, it’s too late. Once that decision is made, there’s no taking it back.

Let’s take a step back in time for a moment, back to the early 1970s, during the Watergate scandal. As a young journalist at the time, I remember watching with horror as evidence piled up, exposing the cover-up and dirty tricks of the Nixon administration. But what set Watergate apart from today’s political climate is this: eventually, it was members of Nixon’s own party who turned on him. It was Republicans who, in the end, said, "Enough is enough."

Can we say the same about Trump’s party today? Absolutely not. There’s no Republican equivalent to Howard Baker or Lowell Weicker who’s going to stand up to Trump. MAGA loyalty runs too deep, and no one in the Senate or House has the political will to challenge the man who still controls the party.

So, here we are in 2025, facing a constitutional crisis with no clear resolution in sight. No one in a position of power is going to stop Trump. Not now, not anytime soon.

What Does This Mean for Canada?

Let’s bring this back home to Canada. The reverberations of the Trump administration are not just political; they’re economic, too. The U.S.-Canada relationship—long the bedrock of our foreign policy—has been thrown into disarray. Sure, we’ve had our differences with previous U.S. administrations, but under Trump, the level of animosity is unprecedented. As Prime Minister Carney pointed out, the way we used to do business with the U.S. is over.

This is not just about trade deals or defense spending—though those are certainly part of it—it’s about the fundamental trust between our two countries. That trust, the very thing that allowed us to maintain the longest undefended border in the world, has been broken. And while we’ll continue to work with the U.S., it’s clear that the days of seamless cooperation are behind us.

For those of us who’ve watched the Canada-U.S. relationship evolve over the years, this is a sad, disheartening moment. What once was a symbol of international collaboration now feels fractured, and the future of that relationship looks uncertain.

A Call to Action: April 28th Election

But there’s hope, even in the midst of all this turmoil. As Canadians, we still have the power to shape our future. On April 28th, we go to the polls to make a decision about who will lead us through these turbulent times. It’s easy to feel helpless watching from the sidelines, but the reality is this: our votes matter.

Take it from someone who just received their voter card—this is our moment to have our voices heard. It’s a privilege, one that many people around the world don’t have. So let’s use it.

As we approach election day, I’d love to hear your thoughts on what’s happening south of the border and how it’s influencing your vote here at home. I’m considering doing a Q&A session on election night, so if that’s something you’d be interested in, let me know.

The world may feel chaotic right now, but we still have the power to make a difference. Let’s use it wisely.

Stay informed, stay in touch, and as always, thank you for being part of this conversation.

Bill Kelly’s Substack