I think you chose the right approach by just deleting without engaging, because really, what could you have said that would have changed your friend's mind?

I have friends who come from totalitarian or authoritarian countries, and they always say that the hardest part of living in such societies is not the danger or the corruption, but the constant, wearying sense of atomisation and endless reminders of their own lack of agency (and the usual deliberate attempts of their government propaganda to encourage this mentality and encourage people to turn inwards, live their own lives, and make no connections with and feel no responsibility for other people). Anything we can do to fight back against those kinds of narratives in countries such as the US on this path towards this kind of authoritarianism is welcome — precisely the kinds of actions you were taking yourself and encouraging others to take. Anyone who says otherwise is unintentionally contributing to a future in which all people are passive, atomised, and lacking a strong sense of agency. A sense of oneself as a politically active citizen in a democracy who is part of a community of fellow-citizens is like a muscle that needs to be constantly exercised.

I just wanted to thank you for posting this because it has given me things to think about.

You're so very welcome, and I'm glad it was helpful for you.