Kamla Persad-Bissessar, the Leader of the Opposition in Trinidad and Tobago, on Monday, January 20, 2025, congratulated Donald Trump who took oath as the president of the United States. The United National Congress (UNC) leader called the day of the Republican leader’s inauguration as a “truly great day” for American democracy. Trump became the president for the second time, succeeding Joe Biden who succeeded him in 2021.
In a statement, Persad-Bissessar said, “I salute President Trump’s resilience, commitment, and fighting spirit. He has survived assassination attempts, political persecution, and years of personal attacks, but he triumphed in the end.”
In July 2024, Trump survived a bullet while addressing an open election rally in Pennsylvania. He secured a decisive victory over former vice president Kamala Harris, who replaced Biden in the top contest, on November 5.
Persad-Bissessar congratulated Trump on his victory the next day, saying the remarkable win spoke about his “inspiring resilience and commitment” to the people of America.
She also said it is widely believed that leaders who return to service carry not only the experience of their previous term but also a renewed commitment to the country’s future with fresh energy and clear purpose. Persad-Bissessar was perhaps hinting at the possibility of her returning as the prime minister for the second term after a decade.
The UNC leader served as the first woman prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago between 2010 and 2015 and is eyeing a return to power in this year’s election.
UNC leader slams Biden administration
She also slammed the Biden administration saying it proved to be disastrous for the people of the US as well as the whole world.
Among various allegations, she said it pushed a woke and extreme left-wing agenda which contradicted basic common sense and morality, overturned the norms of civilized public life, disoriented and mutilated children, and fuelled wars around the world.
The former prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago also accused the previous Biden administration of encouraging nepotism, corruption, crime, poverty, homelessness and inequality of wealth.
Persad-Bissessar added that she closely followed Trump’s inaugural speech on Monday. She said the list of executive orders he mentioned was aligned with his campaign promises that formed the foundation of a comprehensive triumph last November.
In his speech which he gave indoors because of cold weather, Trump said he would quickly ink executive orders related to deportations, energy, tariffs and other issues. He also said that he would announce a “national emergency” at the US’s southern border, stopping immigration and sending “criminal immigrants” back. He is also expected to begin the process to revoke birthright citizenship.
Trump did not hesitate to lambast the previous administration during his speech in the presence of both Biden and Harris.
Sensing that fields such as international cooperation, diplomacy, foreign affairs and bilateral relations will see changes under the new administration in Washington DC, the Trinidadian leader said she expects the return of meritocracy, excellence and intelligence as a standard criterion for having equal opportunities.
She said, The peoples of Trinidad and Tobago and the United States of America have profound and essential connections at many levels, and our futures are inevitably intertwined.
“President Trump is the leader America needs right now, and I wish him and his Government God’s richest blessings and guidance in all their actions for the greater good of America and the rest of the world.”
Experts, however, were keeping their fingers crossed about the effects that Trump’s deportation and other plans could have on Trinidad and Tobago and its economy.
Kamla Persad-Bissessar congratulated Trump on 2016 election win
Persad-Bissessar had also warmly welcomed Trump after his first electoral win in November 2016 against Hillary Clinton.
“Congratulations on your victory in the Presidential Election and your elevation to the Office of President,” she had said then.
“As you are aware the United States has historically been a significant partner and ally of Trinidad and Tobago in several spheres of development including international security, trade, education, agriculture, social development and health care.
“As Leader of the Opposition, and former Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, I have had the opportunity to work with several representatives of the Government of the United States in pursuit of these initiatives and I look forward to the continued progress in the development of our common goals.”
