Analysis: Donald Trump officially proclaims AAPI Heritage Month 2020 with an eye towards November

SCREEN CAPTURE / YOUTUBE

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Donald Trump cement their bromance in a Houston rally.

Donald Trump signed the AAPI Heritage Month proclamation on April 29 honoring tech entrepreneur An Wang and India's leader Narendra Modi.

The customary format for these type of proclamations is to name a couple of examples of how Asian Americans and/or Pacific Islanders who are examples of the American Dream realized.

An Wang, who laid down some of the groundwork for the computer tech industry explosion that was to come after his death in 1990.  In his later years, as one of the richest men in America, he contributed heavily to to arts and education institutions in the Boston area.

The second person that he brings up is more curious: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a controversial figure to say the least who is deepening the divide among Indian Americans because of his -- critics say "facist" -- policies in India. India watchers fear his anti-Muslim immigration policy and pro-Hindu positions could spark violence

It reminds me of the way the Filipino American community was divided in the 70s and 80s among pro- and anti-Marcos camps during the rule of the dictator Ferdinand Marcos. 

True, Modi's highly touted "Howdy, Modi" visit last year attracted thousands of supporters to Houston, but last I looked, Modi is not an American citizen despite his rock-star status among some Hindu Americans.

Based on news reports about the Houston rally, Trump was just a sidenote at the Texas rally but it provided a photo op that will probably come again as the presidential campaign ramps up again.

Trump sealed the relationship with Modi with a 2-day follow-up visit to India earlier this year where little if anything was accomplished except for the imagery presented of the two leaders holding hands aloft at rallies. There were no trade agreements signed or human rights violations mentioned.

Trump admires "strongman" leaders like Modi, who cast aside human and civil rights under the guise of safety and a stronger economy, including the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte, China's Xi Jinping, North Korea's Kim Jun-il, Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdoğa and, of course, Russia's Vladimir Putin.

Trump and the Republicans have seen the AAPI electorate shift heavily towards Democratic candidates in the 2016 and 2018 elections, mostly due to the racist tenor and anti-immigrant policies trumpeted by the GOP candidate. Even the traditionally conservative Vietnamese and Filipino American communities, who had strong conservative leanings in the past, cast their votes for Hillary Clinton in 2016 and the down-ballot races in 2018. 

The AAPI voting trend towards Democrats was strong enough in some swing districts that the traditionally GOP strongholds, like Orange County in California, went blue.

The Republicans see the pro- and anti-Modi divide as a way to chip away at the Democrat's apparent hold on the AAPI vote.

“Supporters of the (Modi) government feel enabled to commit all kinds of crimes, because they feel they have political protection,’’ Meenakshi Ganguly, the South Asia director for Human Rights Watch, told the New York Times.

That kind of mirrors what Trump is doing with his white supremacist supporters in this country urging them to "liberate" certain states from their Democratic governors. Trump wishes he had the ultimate power of Modi, Putin and other leaders of thair ilk. He said so when he clashed with governors who wanted to extend the stay-at-home mandates to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

“The president of the United States calls the shots,” he said. “They can’t do anything without the approval of the president of the United States.”

Later, in response to a reporter's question, Trump repeated, “Well, I have the ultimate authority.”

Of course, he doesn't have the "ultimate authority." There's such a thing as the US Constitution.

Entrepreneur, innovator and philantropist An Wang.

At any rate, for the lack of a better honoree, I think An Wang got the short end of the deal.

Trump's word-for-word proclamation is below:

Proclamation on Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, 2020

Issued on: April 29, 2020

Throughout our Nation’s history, Americans of Asian and Pacific Islander descent have made significant contributions to every aspect of our society, from business and politics to literature and the arts.  Their accomplishments have enriched our Nation and stand as a testament to the power of the American Dream.  During Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we celebrate the indelible mark these individuals have left on our culture and pay tribute to the myriad ways in which they continue to strengthen our Nation.

One story among many that exemplifies the values of intelligence, hard work, and determination that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have contributed to our Nation is that of An Wang, a Chinese American and pioneer in electronics engineering who helped shape the tech revolution during the latter half of the 20th century as an entrepreneur and innovator.  An exceptionally skilled inventor and forward-thinking businessman, Wang held 40 patents and founded Wang Laboratories, one of the most successful American technology companies during the 1980s.  Wang Laboratories’ products became essential equipment in offices throughout the United States, helping bolster a thriving American economy.  Wang also generously gave back to his community, donating his time and resources to the arts, hospitals, higher education, and cultural institutions.

The United States also remains committed to strengthening our ongoing relationships with our Asian and Pacific partners.  Last year, I was proud to stand alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an event in Houston, Texas, and earlier this year I made my first official visit to India as a demonstration of our Nation’s enduring friendship with one of the world’s largest and most diverse countries.  During this historic visit, I had the honor of speaking about the importance of the relationship between our two countries before more than 110,000 Indian citizens.  The visit also reaffirmed that India and the United States are committed to building a comprehensive global strategic partnership grounded in shared interests and common purpose, benefitting both of our countries.

This month, we recognize the more than 20 million Americans of Asian and Pacific Islander descent who make irreplaceable contributions to our Nation’s economy, security, and culture.  We are especially grateful for those who have served and are currently serving in our Armed Forces, and those serving their communities as first responders.  Together, we will continue to live out the promise of our founding and build a better future for all Americans.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 2020 as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.  The Congress, by Public Law 102-450, as amended, has also designated the month of May each year as “Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.”  I encourage all Americans to learn more about those of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander heritage and to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fourth.

(SGD) DONALD J. TRUMP