By Michael Cummings
PRESIDENT SUPPORTS IRISH UNITY
A recent news article (“Trump, breaking with precedent …says Irish unification would be fantastic.”) addressed remarks made by President Trump in his visit to Ireland. It may surprise your readers to know that Britain’s governance in Northern Ireland has inspired many ‘precedents’ by both the British and American leaders. In the modern era of Ireland, there have been five consequential conflict related precedents which place President Trump’s remarks in perspective.
First, Britain chose to ignore precedent when it rejected their own 1918 General Election results in Ireland; an overwhelming 32 County vote for Sinn Fein and Labor candidates demanding Ireland’s independence. Instead of democracy, Britain imposed martial law.
Second, in 1919 British Conservative leadership chose to mock the rule of law by secretly arming loyalists, by openly supporting sedition by British Army leaders and the unprecedented deployment of Black & Tan irregulars to foment a civil war with lawless assassinations. It was the divide and conquer policy in full bloom and a warning to the restless natives throughout the colonial empire.
Third, U. S. President’s actions were of a different nature and reflected a growing impatience with British leaders. In 1977 President Jimmy Carter took an unprecedented action sending a message of concern for Britain’s human rights abuses by suspending a proposed U. S. arms sale to the Royal Ulster Constabulary. Never done before.
Fourth, the mother of all Presidential precedents occurred when President Clinton, seeking to promote dialogue over conflict in Northern Ireland, issued a visa to Irish leader Gerry Adams, then a Member of Parliament. His Secretary of State and Raymond Seif, the former American Ambassador to Britain worked against the President and America’s interests. Totally without precedent.
Five, in 2024 the U.S. Department issued a rarely used ‘demarche’ letter warning Britain for its unilateral crafting and adoption of the 2023 Legacy Act. The law would bury investigations/ prosecution of more than 1100 lawless killings in NI linked to Britain’s Army, MI-5 and secret agents. If investigated, those crimes could earn Britain an official ‘State sponsor of terrorism’ label. Both the Good Friday Agreement and the EU constitution obligations were ignored.
Britain’s unprecedented actions focused on its corruption of law and divisive policies while those of America focused on restoration of law and democracy. President Trump’s remarks on Ireland’s unity have been said before by his predecessors and hundreds of Members of Congress. Prime Minister Burnham remarks on Irish unity expresses a fear not shown in the British electorate. The one precedent that remains is for a plebiscite on Ireland’s reunification. For Burnham that sounds too much like work.
Michael J Cummings
Secretary, American Brexit Committee
201 W Evergreen Ave
Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania 19118
518-606-6083, 518-339-6765
Michael J. Cummings, a native of Springfield, Mass. is a graduate of St. Anselm’s College (B. A., 1968) and New York University (MPA., 1970). He co-founded the American Brexit Committee in 2016 and served as Secretary from 2016-March, 2023. He is a former member of the National Boards of the Irish American Unity Conference (1996-2013), the Ancient Order of Hibernians (2001-2008), and the Irish Northern Aid Committee (1988-1996). He is the only person to serve on all three. He also served as Chairman of the Capital District Irish National Caucus (1979-1982). He worked for the State of New York for 36 years in various capacities including as Assistant Deputy State Comptroller and Director of the Justice Court Fund. He served on the Peace and Justice Commission of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany.
Cummings has appeared on American, English, and Irish television and radio and his commentary and letters have appeared in major American, Irish-American, and Catholic print media. He is married 53 years to Nuala Hogan, a nurse and native of Ireland. They have five children and 8 grandchildren.
