“Keep your chins up, it’s only four years,” advises former US Congressman

Donald Trump was sworn in for his second term as the 47th president of the United States on Monday as he vowed to make America great again!

While the world watched on, just before the new president was sworn in, former United States Congressman Joe Crowley gave his views on what the next four years will bring for the United States and Ireland.

Sitting on the democratic side of the political spectrum, Congressman Crowley outlined how the day was going down, admitting that he felt “resigned” that Trump was re-elected, however he added it was a “fair election”.

“As were the elections four years ago,” he added.

“We recognise him immediately and it shows the class of Joe Biden and other elected officials that they are there today. They are there to recognise that this is a fair and free process unlike what happened on January 6 four years ago.”

Throughout his political life, Congressman Crowley says he “kept the issues of Ireland at the forefront” of his agenda, describing how he played a hand in adding the teaching of ‘The Great Hunger’ to the New York State school curriculum.

Congressman Crowley’s mother hailed from Killeen in the parish of Killevy, County Armagh; while three of his four grandparents grew up in Ulster, his grandmother a Mullahoran lady. He boasts a vast portfolio within American politics, having represented the people of New York’s 14th congressional district, including his hometown of Woodside, Queens, for 20 years.

He served in the House Democratic leadership for six years, first as Vice-Chair and then as Chairman of the Democratic Caucus. He also served as chair of the New Democrat Coalition, a chief deputy whip, and sat on the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee. Congressman Crowley was a member of the House Financial Services and Foreign Affairs Committees and also sat on the co-chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Irish Affairs and an active member of the Friends of Ireland Caucus. Currently, he is a Senior Policy Advisor at Dentons; a global law firm.

“Right now I hope for the sake of our country and for the world that we remain a democracy,” he said, speaking from Washington, where he described the atmosphere as “a little anticlimactic” due to the weather, which prevented the outdoor ceremony of the inauguration.

He hopes the country doesn’t become “a kleptocracy or a country run by corporate interests; that the president will rule wisely and in the interests of the American people”.

Congressman Crowley says a lot remains to be seen. “I think Trump likes chaos I think he likes to keep people off balance and that’s not necessarily good in terms of assurance that it’ll be smooth,” he feared.

In Ireland, talks of economic protectionism, bringing American businesses back to America and possibly imposing tariffs on Irish imports have come to the fore of the Trump conversation.

“I think he’s made a lot of promises but promises made during campaigns are not always kept in a way in which they’re perceived.

“It remains to be seen just what will happen after the president is sworn in.

“The impact of tariffs is that it will raise prices for consumers here in the United States, so there’s no pain-free tariffs for Americans.”

He also commented on the undocumented Irish living in America, where there are “less” than in previous years.

“There may be some who could possibly get caught in some of these roundups.

“I don’t think they’re the target. I think primarily the target is going to be people of colour in my sense but we shall see.”

Speaking overall on the future relations between the two countries, he “would not expect too much” in terms of appointments to a Peace Envoy or an Economic Envoy to Northern Ireland, where Joe Biden previously appointed a US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs in support of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement.

Asked if the Irish have a reason to fear a Trump presidency, Congressman Crowley responded “I don’t think fear is the word.”

“A little less assurance I think is what people are looking at,” he said, adding that he feels some Irish “have a bit of anxiety” surrounding Trump.

On the situation in the Middle East between Israel and Palestine, Congressman Crowley predicted that President Trump will remain “a very strong ally” to Israel.

“I think that that will continue, he and Netanyahu have a very strong relationship, that could be used for peaceful purposes and I hope that it is.

“I don’t think Trump will approach it in an even-handed way,” he predicted.

Winning both the electoral vote and the popular vote, Congressman Crowley explained why he thinks Americans voted Republican this time out. He believes the “economic achievements” of the democratic party “didn’t trickle down to everyone” which is what changed the minds of some US voters.

“I also think the democrats tend to get behind every issue but perceive to standing for nothing and that was unfortunate.”

Congressman Crowley wished “peace” to all of his friends in Ireland, adding that he doesn’t visit the country “as much” as he’d like.

“Keep your chins up, it’s only four years,” he advised.