President Donald Trump’s tweet criticising a bill related to the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe’s casino project in Taunton has sent ripples through Massachusetts politics, prompting reactions from every corner. The controversy encapsulates a high-stakes battle over tribal sovereignty, regional economics, and national politics.
A Tweet That Stopped the House in Its Tracks
On Wednesday morning, Trump tweeted: “Republicans shouldn’t vote for H.R. 312, a special interest casino Bill, backed by Elizabeth (Pocahontas) Warren. It is unfair and doesn’t treat Native Americans equally!” This statement not only ignited a fierce debate but also derailed legislative plans.
The bill, scheduled for a vote in the House under non-controversial terms, was abruptly pulled after Trump’s tweet. Lawmakers now intend to move it through the regular process, a sign of its newfound divisiveness.
Lawmakers and Leaders React
U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III didn’t mince words in his response, labelling Trump’s comments as dishonest and harmful. “This lie is especially egregious because it threatens the very existence of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe that welcomed the Pilgrims to these shores,” he tweeted.
Taunton Mayor Tom Hoye expressed dismay, calling the situation “sad” and lamenting what he described as yet another blow to Southeastern Massachusetts. Hoye views the casino as a much-needed economic boost for the region.
In contrast, attorney David Tennant, representing East Taunton residents opposing the casino, praised Trump’s stance. Tennant argued that the president’s opposition aligns with a commitment to upholding legal standards, adding, “Thank you for recognizing the rule of law.”
Decades of Disputes and Delays
The controversy around the Taunton casino is far from new. The project’s history is riddled with legal and bureaucratic challenges.
In 2015, the Department of the Interior granted the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe control over land in Mashpee and Taunton. This decision, essential for the tribe to build a casino on sovereign land, was overturned by a federal court in 2016, citing the tribe’s lack of federal recognition in 1934 when the Indian Reorganization Act was enacted.
By 2018, the Interior Department announced it could no longer hold the land in trust, leaving the tribe to seek a legislative solution through the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation Reaffirmation Act.
Tribal Rights and Economic Stakes
The Mashpee Wampanoag argue that the casino represents a path to self-sufficiency. As the tribe’s financial backer, Genting Malaysia, supports the project, its success could bring jobs and development to the region. However, opponents see it differently.
East Taunton residents, led by Tennant, worry about local impacts, including traffic and infrastructure strain. They’ve also raised questions about the legal precedent set by taking land into trust for tribes recognised after 1934.
For the tribe, the stakes are existential. The legislation would solidify their reservation status, dismiss ongoing legal challenges, and pave the way for construction to resume.
The Political Battlefield
Bridgewater State University’s Brian Frederick points to steep odds for the bill’s success. While it might pass in the Democrat-controlled House, the Republican-led Senate is less likely to offer support. Trump’s vocal opposition and the political entanglements of Elizabeth Warren, a vocal supporter of the bill, further complicate matters.
Warren, a Democratic presidential candidate for 2020, has faced significant scrutiny over her claims to Native American heritage. Trump’s use of the term “Pocahontas” to mock her during the debate underscores how deeply partisan and personal the issue has become.
What’s Next?
The casino battle exemplifies the tension between federal, tribal, and local interests. Whether the Mashpee Wampanoag can overcome legal and political hurdles remains uncertain. For now, Trump’s tweet has turned a simmering controversy into a boiling pot, with far-reaching implications for Massachusetts and beyond.
