THE ANNUAL St Patrick's celebrations at the White House are in jeopardy this year as Ireland is 'unfriendly' to Trump, according to reports.
A senior Republican Party-political source told Irish American website IrishCentral that White House staff have noticed 'anti-Trump' comments by Irish political leaders.
The St. Patrick’s Day party has been in place since 1993 during the Clinton administration, carried on by every president since usually comprising of a meeting in the Oval Office, a lunch, a reception dinner and the presentation of the shamrock from Taoisigh to the President.
U.S. President Bill Clinton accepts a bowl of shamrocks in honor of St. Patrick's Day from Irish Prime Minister Albert Reynolds during a 1993 meeting in the White House Oval Office. (Picture: PAUL RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)Also part of the St Patrick's Day events in Washington, the vice-President traditionally welcomes An Taoiseach to his home - but this may also be in jeopardy according to IrishCentral.
Vice President Mike Pence has described himself as a 'Christian, conservative and Republican - in that order' and has been outspoken against homosexuality, which may cast doubt on welcoming Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who is an openly gay man and in a domestic partnership.
The Republican party source told IrishCentral that White House staff have “taken notice” of the anti-Trump comments by many Irish political leaders and they consider Ireland one of the least friendly nations towards the US President.
U.S. President Donald J. Trump holds a bilateral meeting with the Taoiseach of Ireland Enda Kenny in the Oval Office of the White House in 2017. (Picture: Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images)Instead, it is believed they are considering only hosting the annual shamrock ceremony, which has been in place since 1952, where the Taoiseach presents a bowl of shamrock to the President in a brief ceremony.
The annual Speaker's Lunch, hosted by Speaker Paul Ryan, who has close Irish ties, is expected to go ahead.
Speaker Ryan continues to have very warm relationship with the Irish Government and its affiliates, even slamming Trump's 'shithole countries' comment as "very unfortunate" and "unhelpful," saying his Irish ancestors faced similar prejudices when they came to the US.
Earlier this month Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney blasted Trump's decision to relocate the US Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem as 'ill advised and unhelpful.'
Last year former Taoiseach Enda Kenny's appearance overshadowed President Trump's first St Patrick's celebrations as Mr Kenny put Trump firmly in his place over immigration.
He was praised around the world for his address to US President Donald Trump in Washington in which he emphasised St Patrick's role as an immigrant and as a 'patron of immigrants.'
He reminded Trump that the Irish immigrants to the US have contributed substantially to the 'economic, social, political and cultural life' in the States.
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