Indo Guyanese and Indo-Caribbean Americans, like the rest of USA, remain deeply divided and partisan on the policies and Presidency of Donald Trump after his address Tuesday evening to the joint sitting of Congress – an event that was supposed to give an assessment of the state of the nation and the President’s plan for the next year or his four year Presidency. The President was sworn in on January 20, completing just over six weeks in office. His radical policies have upended domestic and foreign policy and global politics. The President has clamped down on immigration which impact Guyanese and Indo-Caribbean and other Americans and their families in Guyana and the region and the thousands of undocumented Indo-Caribbeans in USA. Those who voted for Trump last November 5 remain largely supportive of him. And it appears that half Guyanese and Indo-Caribbean Americans supported Trump, not different from the rest of the nation which remain polarized. The President received 50% of the popular votes.
Guyanese Americans seem very partisan about their feelings for Trump. Their support (or lack of) seems to be holding from last November. At two nights of Shivratri observances at different temples last Tuesday and Wednesday and at last Sunday morning mandir services as well as afternoon Phagwah Samelan (mela of chowtaal singing and dancing at Prem Bhakti), one can hear robust exchanges between Trumpers and non-Trumpites at the several temples. At any public function where Guyanese and Indo-Caribbean people are in attendance, at wakes, funeral, poojas, cultural programs, weddings, Trump was or is the topic of conversation. Once cannot escape a Trump discussion at any gathering. The numbers of people speaking in favor of and defending Trump’s policies seem to slightly outnumber those against him (his policy) among Hindus and other Indians. Polls conducted among Hindu Americans for last November general elections also found a majority backing Trump, with many contributing financially to the campaign. There are approximately five million Hindus in USA with a majority exhibiting a preference for the Republican because of his promises to Hindus. It is not known how Muslim Guyanese (and other Indian) worshippers think of or about Trump; but many did support Trump in the November elections because of Gaza and social issues. A large majority of Muslim Arabs voted for Trump resulting in his victory in the seven swing states, securing his victory. Christian (Indian) Guyanese also are divided on Trump with many backing his policy on social issues (same sex marriage, transgender, only two genders, DEI, etc. The evangelicals overwhelmingly voted for Trump and still back him. Afro Guyanese favor the Democrats.
The President’s address to Congress was very partisan. He did not make any meaningful effort to win over Democrats. It is not sure what he could have done to win them over because they came with a plan not to cheer the President. They did not cheer except occasionally to support Ukraine and the tributes to the guests of the President and the First Lady. Democrats were largely silent and protested by holding signs against him when Republicans cheered. He was unsparing in his criticism of the Democrats. As Trump said, he does not know he can do to win over Democrats not even for the appointment of a Kennedy in his administration. The Kennedy’s were the lions of the Democratic Party; Joe Kennedy Jr. defected to Trump, helping him to a victory against Democrat Kamala Harris.
Indo-Caribbean supporters of Trump praised the speech and were critical of Democrats who they blame for many things that have gone wrong. Almost every Indo-Caribbean was opposed to the Biden’s open immigration policy that led to the entry of criminal elements South of the border. Several were arrested for serious crimes of murder, rape, violent robbery, and home invasion. Several Indo-Caribbeans were victims of crimes by illegal immigrants, hardening their attitude against illegals. Trump mentioned Venezuela as a source of the undocumented criminals and vow to find and deport them.
It was a very good speech delivered in simple (except in end which had a lot of oratory) language offering a lot of hope, though some Indo-Caribbeans said it was not quite presidential and accuse the President of not bringing the nation together for healing after a bruising divisive election campaign. They like policy on illegal immigrants and crime. They bought into the President’s promise of lowering prices at the market although that may not be possible because of tariffs.
Indo-Caribbeans who voted Trump are convinced things will get better while those who opposed Trump are worried about their future in USA feeling things will get worse. No resident or citizen need be worried about Trump’s policy. And there will be no mass deportation of illegal Guyanese or Trini migrants.
