Cassie and Maggie questioned about loyalty during traffic stop

A Canadian folk duo, Cassie and Maggie, experienced a strange traffic stop in Ohio last week. The sisters, known for their Celtic music, were pulled over for distracted driving while on tour in the U.S. The officers separated the sisters and asked them if they preferred Canada to the United States. Cassie described this as a "jarring" question. The stop happened as they were driving to Pittsburgh from Columbus. Cassie admitted they were at fault, as Maggie was on her cell phone. The officers suspected their rental car, which had Oklahoma plates, contained narcotics. A drug detection dog was brought in, but only a bottle of wine and Maggie’s medication were found. The questioning turned intense when Cassie felt that the officer believed Canada was the source of drug issues in the U.S. This aligns with claims made by the Trump administration about Canadian fentanyl flooding the market. Before they were released, both sisters were asked separately about their loyalty to Canada and the U.S. Cassie answered that they had a strong connection to the U.S. due to their touring and family ties. Maggie said it was easier to tour in the U.S. because of the distances between cities. Although both officers were just doing their jobs, Cassie thought the loyalty question was out of place. Maggie received a warning but her information was logged. A representative from the Sheriff’s Office did not comment on the incident. Despite the unusual encounter, the duo’s music remains non-political. However, other Canadian artists have started releasing music addressing current U.S.-Canada tensions. The sisters have held a U.S. work visa since 2013 and often incorporate their Canadian identity into their act. They sell Canadian-themed merchandise at their shows and American fans have shown support despite the political climate. Cassie said fans often apologize for the situation, but she noted they do not need to.