Acting Gov. Josh Tenorio on Monday called for unity and continued collaboration with the White House as Republican Donald Trump returns as the 47th U.S. president.
“I feel that all Americans should be optimistic with the new administration. Of course, a lot of people, based on the rhetoric and based on some of the policy decisions, are nervous,” Tenorio, a Democrat, said. “There’s a good portion of the population that is troubled, but I think it’s our obligation to try and be open-minded, to be able to try and understand what the objectives are of the new administration.”
Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration marks his second term, after serving as 45th president from 2017 to 2021. This time, his vice president is former Sen. JD Vance.
The Republican Trump-Vance team defeated the Democrat ticket of then Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz in the 2024 elections.
“I would say that I think all Americans need to, number one, celebrate that we have a peaceful transfer of power. And number two, you know, try to be open and understand what the objectives are of the new administration,” Tenorio said.
Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero has been off island on official business.
War reparations
Tenorio reflected on the Leon Guerrero-Tenorio administration’s past work with the Trump administration and shared his future expectations.
“We had two years of experience working with his administration and I often tell people that one of the most responsive offices that I dealt with during the two years that we served concurrently was his intergovernmental office,” Tenorio said.
Tenorio was referring to the past Trump administration shepherding and partnering with Guam to pass World War II reparations legislation.
“We worked with the Treasury Department, the Interior Department, and the White House to advance payments from Guam to resolve war reparations and work with them so that we can get paid back. I would say that that’s on one front,” Tenorio said. “I thought that we had a pretty good relationship with the Department of Defense at that time.”
Tax cuts
Tenorio also discussed potential policy disagreements, bringing up the importance of safeguarding Guam’s interests.
“Well, obviously the one thing we have to do is keep an eye on the tax cuts that may happen,” Tenorio said. “The Legislature, back then, during the first two years of the first Trump administration, had to take extraordinary steps to stabilize government revenues.”
Tenorio said Guam is in a better situation now because he and the governor have worked diligently to strengthen the island’s revenues.
“We have to take a look and see what the relationship is going to be like between the United States and Japan and Korea, and look for the opportunities to make it work for everybody.”
Tenorio urged unity despite differing views, calling for cooperation among all sectors.
“I just think that no matter what, even though people have different views or different priorities, there are a lot of things that we still can come together on, and I think that that’s a spirit of unity that I’d like to see,” he said. “I see that coming from sectors of the Legislature, certainly from the mayors. I think that if even we as community members can, you know, disagree better, be able to keep civil, try and solve problems, and be able to think about the greater good, I think that we’ll continue to improve the island.”
Tenorio reassured the public that he and the governor will prioritize Guam while working with Trump and his new administration.
“When there are issues that we do not believe are consistent with what we believe is good for the people, then we address that through the proper channels,” he said. “Global warming, climate change, those are obviously things that are going to be topics in this next administration.”
Tenorio said they will still have to assess specific changes that may be proposed, and identify opportunities to shape those proposals.
He also noted that he has been consistent in protecting Guam’s interests, ensuring the island understands its role in national security, and monitoring potential changes or improvements to the global stage.
“Given the aggressive agenda he has, I would say that in this case, you look for the opportunities to work together and really work well at getting wins for the people of Guam,” he said.
Project 2025
When asked about concerns regarding the administration’s potential impact on Guam, including introduction of Project 2025, Tenorio reinforces the need for collaboration.
“Well, that is a very big document. There’s all sorts of things, the eyes on the Congress, a lot of the proposals that are in there require congressional action, and so we’ll have to work through our congressional delegate and also with our brothers and sisters and other citizens throughout the country to try and shape those proposals, Tenorio said. “Push back when they hurt people and be open when they’re there to help, but I think that a lot of attention is going to be in the Senate and the House. And certainly, this is a time that people should be very conscious about what’s happening.”
Published by The Heritage Foundation in April 2023, the over-900-page initiative outlines conservative policies to reshape the U.S. government and consolidate executive power.
Portions of the plan were crafted by key advisers from Trump’s first term, many of whom are expected to take prominent roles in his second term.
Although Trump disavowed the project during the 2024 election, he maintains several ties to the Heritage Foundation.
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