{{Firstname|Good morning}}, this week we look at how Washington is dressing politics up as national security, the dangerous slide toward weaponized government in the Comey indictment and FCC’s targeting of Jimmy Kimmel, and the opportunities I’ll be highlighting on a panel in Palm Springs to show how the border can drive North America’s next wave of growth.

First time reading? Join thousands of intellectually curious readers. Sign up here.

Join over 4 million Americans who start their day with 1440 – your daily digest for unbiased, fact-centric news. From politics to sports, we cover it all by analyzing over 100 sources. Our concise, 5-minute read lands in your inbox each morning at no cost. Experience news without the noise; let 1440 help you make up your own mind. Sign up now and invite your friends and family to be part of the informed.

Join for free today!

The United States has announced a new round of tariffs on heavy trucks imported from Mexico. A 25 percent duty will take effect on October 1, with furniture, auto parts, and other key categories also under review. Mexico is one of the largest exporters of all three, and these moves strike at the heart of the supply chains that connect our two economies.

What makes this more frustrating is the excuse. Officials in Washington are pointing to national security to justify tariffs on trucks and furniture. National security? What is the risk in a dining room table made in Monterrey or a truck assembled in Saltillo. There is none. Stretching that concept this far undermines its seriousness and erodes credibility with our partners.

These kinds of actions may play well in the politics of the moment, but they carry real costs. Every new duty creates uncertainty for manufacturers, investors, and workers who depend on clear rules to make long term commitments. If tariffs can be imposed at any time under a vague security banner, why would a company put new capital at risk.

Instead of strengthening North America, this approach chills investment, weakens competitiveness, and sends the wrong message to the very partners we need for resilience. That is why we must use the upcoming USMCA negotiations to push for stronger guardrails. If we want this agreement to deliver on its promise, it must protect trade from political games and restore the certainty that keeps investment flowing.

Democracy doesn’t usually disappear overnight. It slips when those in power twist the tools of government to punish critics and reward friends. That is what we saw this week.

It started with Jimmy Kimmel. After a sharp monologue, the head of the FCC suggested ABC affiliates might face problems if they kept airing his show. Within days the show was suspended and major broadcasters pulled him off the air. No law was passed and no judge weighed in, but the message was clear. Speak too loudly and you could be silenced.

Then came the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey. He was charged after the Justice Department replaced a U.S. Attorney with someone more loyal to the White House. The charges may not stand, but the point is not really about winning. It is about sending a warning. Even a former FBI Director can be dragged into court if he crosses the wrong line.

We have seen where this path leads in other parts of the world. In Turkey opposition voices were prosecuted until they fled. In Venezuela the government used regulators to shut down independent media. In Hungary loyal judges gave cover to one party rule. Each case began with steps that looked routine but ended with democracy as an empty shell.

What does this mean for us. Allies and investors trust America because our institutions are supposed to be strong and fair. If they become political weapons, we lose credibility abroad and we weaken our own freedom at home.

This is not just about Comey or Kimmel. It is about us. We need to pay attention, speak up, and push back when government power is used to intimidate. If we don’t, one day that same power will be used against us.

Today, I will be joining government relations leaders from across the West for a panel discussion in Palm Springs. The focus will be on how states are navigating policy and regulation in ways that shape industries like retail and commercial real estate. But I plan to use the opportunity to talk about something bigger: how the border is the launchpad for the next era of manufacturing in North America.

Projects like SouthBridge Arizona show what is possible when we align Arizona’s strengths with Mexico’s potential. Aerospace, semiconductors, medical devices, and advanced manufacturing all need specialized suppliers and logistics. Nogales, Mexico, connected directly to Phoenix and Tucson, can become a hub that supports these industries with efficiency, talent, and cost competitiveness.

But there is one requirement we cannot ignore. None of this growth is sustainable without reliable and affordable energy. Power is the backbone of factories, housing, and the infrastructure that allows investment to scale. Without it, the nearshoring opportunity fizzles before it begins. With it, we can unlock a new wave of binational prosperity that strengthens communities on both sides of the border.

Panels like this are more than just conversations. They are a chance to remind industry leaders and policymakers that border communities are not obstacles — they are the engines of resilience and growth. If we are serious about building a stronger North America, the path runs directly through places like Nogales.

Thanks for reading this edition of my newsletter! I'd love to hear from you. Share your thoughts about what you think are the most critical issues that need to be addressed. Email me at [email protected] or connect with me on social media using the hashtag #Intermestic.

Stay Informed, Stay Connected!

Let's keep the conversation going!