President-elect Donald Trump, center left, takes the oath of office during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)
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WASHINGTON – Donald Trump’s return to the White House has sparked mixed reactions within the Filipino American community, reflecting the deep divisions in American society.
On Monday, Trump was sworn in as the 47th president, surrounded by a cabinet of loyal MAGA supporters, right-wing billionaires and far-right Republicans, who now dominate both the House and Senate.
Photo by Elton Lugay
He delivered a bold inaugural address outlining his ambitious plans for the next four years, marking an aggressive start by signing approximately 200 executive actions, memoranda and proclamations – an unusual move that broke with tradition, which he executed at Capital One Arena following the inaugural parade.
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In his speech, Trump, who made history as the first convicted felon to serve as president, criticized previous administrations and reaffirmed his commitment to his campaign agenda. This includes a stringent approach to immigration and a controversial declaration that the government would recognize only two genders: male and female.
Photo by Elton Lugay
Fil-Am Cefeline Murga, who flew in from Florida, did not mind the hours-long queues amid frigid temperatures at Monday’s inaugural parade inside the arena. When asked what made her vote for Trump, she told Inquirer.net USA, “Because he’s a businessman and not a politician.”
The reaction among Fil-Am Democrats has been largely negative, with disappointment over Trump’s agenda, while Fil-Am Republicans celebrated his return, seemingly indifferent to the concerns of others.
ADVERTISEMENTPearl Tomale, a retired nurse from Warren, New Jersey, expressed her support: “President Trump will now fix what is broken, following the Constitution, Rule of Law and Common Sense. He will secure the border from invasion, drug cartels and human trafficking while unleashing American energy.”
Mother and son Pearl and James Tomale from Warren, New Jersey (from left) and Cefeline Murga who flew in from Florida. They were among the 20,000 MAGA supporters who braved the frigid weather to see the historic inauguration of President Donald Trump. Photo by Georgio Dano
Ron Falconi, who watched the speech with his family, noted that Trump inspired pride among his millions of supporters.
Brunswick Mayor Ron Falconi / FILE PHOTO
“The President delivered an optimistic speech outlining a vision for a New Golden Age for America,” Falconi, who is the mayor of Brunswick, Ohio, told Inquirer.net USA. He highlighted Trump’s commitment to ending the politicization of the Justice Department and prioritizing law and order in cities.
freeslots com ADVERTISEMENTHowever, not everyone shared this sentiment. Veteran community organizer Eric Lachica of Washington, D.C., critiqued Trump’s speech as divisive.
“I had hoped he would extend a unifying appeal to the American people,” he stated. Lachica pointed out that Trump won the popular vote by a narrow margin, underscoring the divided electorate.
While expressing caution, Lachica remained hopeful that the new administration would uphold the Mutual Defense Treaty and support modernization efforts for the Philippine military amid regional tensions.
Rudy Asercion, a longtime Republican PAC leader from the Bay Area, declared, “American exceptionalism is back!” He expressed confidence that the Trump administration would focus on rebuilding the economy and securing the southern border.
On the other hand, California Attorney General Rob Bonta voiced his concerns about Trump’s second term, particularly given his previous actions and legal challenges. “It is a frightening reality,” Bonta said in a press statement, emphasizing the need for vigilance against potential attacks on immigrant families and reproductive rights.
FILE PHOTO (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)
Community advocate Rocio Nuyda from Los Angeles lamented that Trump’s inauguration coincided with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a time meant to reflect on unity and equality.
“It’s unfortunate that we are met with such divisive rhetoric,” she said.
Trump’s stance on gender identity, articulated in his inaugural speech, has also drawn sharp criticism. He announced an end to government policies addressing race and gender, declaring that the US would recognize only male and female.
Kataluna Enriquez, a prominent Fil-Am trans woman and the first transgender contestant in the Miss USA pageant, reflected on the divisive atmosphere.
“I am exhausted by the chaos and prejudice of the MAGA agenda,” she told Inquirer.net USA. “It’s disheartening to see our country moving in a direction that challenges fundamental rights and freedoms.”
Yet, there are those who remain hopeful. Maria Orth, a Fil-Am businesswoman from Florida, expressed joy over Trump’s inauguration. “I cried because my hopes for a better future are ahead of us!” she said, highlighting the historic nature of the inauguration occurring on MLK Day.
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