Over (T)here: American Citizens Resist, Too

Penned by George M. Cohan, “Over There” stands as an artifact of a more innocent time.

Today the words may still be noteworthy: Yes, the Yanks are coming … but as expats, immigrants, and foreigners in European countries and around the world.

Although we may not be a force majeure, we could be political game-changers.

I’m referring to the number of Americans — USA citizens — living abroad.

Approximately 14,000 Americans lived in Portugal at the end of 2024, with this number having grown significantly over the past few years due to Portugal’s attractive lifestyle and lower cost of living compared to the U.S. The number of Americans residing in Portugal has increased dramatically, with a 239% rise between 2017 and 2022, Forbes noted in an August 10, 2025 article.

“Portugal is having a moment in the sun in terms of its popularity among U.S. expats,” said Kathleen Peddicord in a July 12, 2024 article in the same magazine. “It’s understandable why so many are falling for this charming country. It is safe, warm, inexpensive … beautiful beaches, friendly locals, and a rich history.”

Whatever the precise counts, U.S. citizens are increasingly leaving (fleeing?) their homeland and heading eastward.

Why?

If they went “over there” during the world wars to help Europeans escape the evils of war, they’re now escaping from the USA because of the evils of war on its own turf, all accelerating because of the policies, practices, and priorities of Donald J. Trump and his authoritarian administration.

In its paper “Top Ten Reasons Why More Americans Are Leaving the US in 2025,” the Harvey Law Group (HLG), a globally recognized investment and immigration law firm, maintains that “Political and social instability in the US have left many seeking more stable environments. The desire for safer and more predictable living conditions has led to an increase in Americans leaving the US.”

Motivated by a combination of political discontent, a quest for cultural resonance, and the pursuit of better living conditions, individuals and families are increasingly exploring residency options in countries known for their progressive policies and quality of life.

Following Trump’s victory in November 2024, Internet search activity related to emigration skyrocketed by 1,514%, indicating a dramatic uptick in interest among Americans looking to leave the USA, reported Reuters, CNBC, Newsweek, Sky News, and VisaGuide World (among others).

“With Trump back in office and executing the blueprint for wrecking the country known as Project 2025 while collaborating with the world’s richest man to trash democracy and wage a war on brain cells in the federal government, a growing number of people are searching for their bug-out plan,” exclaimed Alaric DeAment in his February 20, 2025 New Republic article, “Americans Are Heading for the Exits.”

According to a Gallup poll released before the 2024 election, the 17% of Americans who said they wanted to leave the country in 2023 rose to 21 percent in 2024. And who knows how many more are looking to escape to Europe following the first six heinous months of the Trump regime?

Few counted on Trump’s long arm goosing kings, sultans, and oligarchs worldwide. Along with his schizophrenic trade policies, broken allegiances and discarded alliances have taken their toll on countries everywhere—including USA citizens resident in Portugal.

Indeed, for all he has done to break people in the USA, often overlooked are the potential effects of Trumpism on Americans living abroad:

◙ The Trump administration is cutting embassy staff, closing consulates, and eliminating essential services (i.e., passports, social security);

◙ Like everyone else, those of us living outside the USA fear cuts to our Social Security, even though Medicare doesn’t much matter anymore;

◙ Many expats and immigrants from the USA are highly motivated to vote, and worry about Trump’s threats to do away with mail-in ballots;

◙ Days after the fatal air crash at Reagan National Airport, the Trump team fired many FAA air controllers despite their already anemic numbers, causing us to worry even more about our fear of flying;

◙ How many foreign governments already have issued travel advisories, warning us about the dangers of going to, around, and from the USA?

◙ We’re petrified about our passports: Will they be renewed? Where? How? When? By whom? Or could they be confiscated if we visit friends and family in the USA, making it impossible for us to leave Armageddon?

◙ Starting January 1, 2026, anyone wiring funds out of the United States —including U.S. citizens, green card holders, and even non-citizens — will face a new 1% Remittance Tax on qualifying transfers when they send money overseas. For anyone relying on transfers of international money, this is more than just another fee. The remittance tax adds a new layer of cost on top of already complex reporting rules, and it hits everything from family support to tuition.

◙ Because of Trump’s tariffs, we can’t even send birthday gifts or packages of holiday cheer to loved ones in the USA.

Now, what?

Neither marches, protests, petitions nor jurisprudence has stopped the criminal in the White House and his billionaire buddies from their unconstitutional activities or breaking the law.

Democrats must do something …

They must shut down the government, defunding the unqualified minions and administrative stooges of this executive-ordered state before Republicans redistrict them out of Congress altogether.

It’s their only real bargaining chip, doing something to stop those hell-bent on demonizing democracy in the USA.

But, first, they need to get their act together and agree on common ground.