KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan joined WKBK’s Good Morning with Dan Mitchell last week, where she weighed in on national and local issues ranging from trade disputes to the cost of living in New Hampshire.

Hassan opened the conversation by sharply criticizing former President Donald Trump’s deployment of the National Guard in Washington, D.C., describing it as “a political stunt” that, in her view, undermined democratic norms and distracted from long-term public safety priorities.

The senator also highlighted her recent bipartisan trip to Canada, where she and colleagues voiced opposition to U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods. Hassan said the policies were not only hurting New Hampshire businesses but also straining a crucial international partnership. “It tells the international community that they can’t trust America’s word when we reach an agreement,” she told Mitchell, warning that the fallout could ripple across both economies.

Bringing the focus back home, Hassan said she frequently hears from Granite Staters struggling with rising prices on everyday essentials, healthcare access, and uncertainty caused by the freezing of federal funds that had been promised to local communities for infrastructure improvements. She cited recent clinic closures in Franconia and Canaan as examples of how federal budget cuts directly affect residents.

The conversation turned somber when Mitchell asked about the recent school shooting in Minnesota. Hassan emphasized that “thoughts and prayers” are not enough, calling instead for what she described as common-sense gun safety measures, including red flag laws. She also criticized cuts to school-based mental health programs.

Throughout the interview, Hassan returned to themes of bipartisan problem-solving and accountability in Washington. “We need to take action, and the vast majority of Americans support common-sense gun safety laws,” she said.

Listen to the full interview: