Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is once again speaking out forcefully against President Donald Trump, accusing him of undermining the Constitution and isolating the United States from its allies.
In a recent post on X, Sanders urged the president to “turn off Fox News” and start reading the Constitution. “Dissent is patriotic,” he added—a pointed reminder that criticism of leadership is a protected and vital part of American democracy.
Just two days earlier, Sanders criticized Trump for suing major media outlets, including ABC, CBS, Meta, and the Des Moines Register. He also slammed Trump’s moves to strip funding from NPR and PBS, warning that these actions are a direct attack on the First Amendment.
“Mr. President, the First Amendment is not negotiable,” Sanders posted. “Stop undermining the Constitution.”
Condemning Isolationism and Broken Ties With Canada
Sanders also took aim at Trump’s foreign policy after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced an end to the long-standing relationship between the U.S. and Canada. Carney cited Trump’s new 25% tariffs on imported vehicles and parts as the breaking point.
“Well, it wasn’t easy, but Trump did it,” Sanders wrote. “He ended the several hundred-year friendship between the US and Canada—our neighbor and closest ally. Isolationism is a dumb idea, but going out of your way to get countries around the world to actually hate us is even stupider.”
Carney said Canada would hit back with retaliatory tariffs aimed to have “maximum impact” and called for a complete rethink of its trade strategy.
Third Term Talk Sparks Alarm
Adding to the tension, Trump continues to float the idea of a third presidential term, despite the Constitution’s clear two-term limit. A group of loyalists is actively working on a plan to amend the Constitution, with Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) introducing a resolution to extend the presidential term limit from eight to 12 years.
At the CPAC, supporters held posters showing Trump in Caesar-like attire, reading “For Trump 2028 …And Beyond!”
“We believe that if the public demands it, he will step forward and serve his third term,” said Shane Trejo, one of the organizers of the so-called Third Term Project.
Sanders has dismissed Trump’s talk of a mandate. “Trump likes to talk about his ‘mandate.’ Really? He got 4 million fewer votes than Biden in 2020,” Sanders said. “Trump has no mandate to move us to oligarchy or authoritarianism.“
Billionaire Influence and Legal Threats
Sanders also criticized what he described as growing billionaire influence in U.S. politics. He pointed to reports that Elon Musk donated nearly $300 million to Trump and GOP causes in 2024.
“You’ve gotta be kind of blind not to understand that you have a government of the billionaire class, for the billionaire class, by the billionaire class,” Sanders said.
He also condemned Trump for allegedly pressuring the law firm Paul, Weiss into handing over $40 million through what Sanders called an illegal executive order. “They care more about their bottom line than our democracy. We won’t forget.”
A Warning and a Rallying Cry
While Sanders has confirmed he is not running for president again, he is continuing his “Fighting Oligarchy” tour with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), urging Democrats to stand firm against Trump’s agenda.
“In the richest country in the world, working-class people should not have to die unnaturally young,” Sanders said. “They should be able to live long and productive lives.”
His message to Americans and the president is that speaking out against injustice is not only allowed—it’s essential.
“Dissent is patriotic,” Sanders said. “Try reading the Constitution.”
IMAGE CREDIT: “Bernie Sanders” by Jackson Lanier, via Wikimedia Commons. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Image adjusted for layout.