In the ever-turbulent landscape of tribal sovereignty, the past months have exposed stark contradictions across Indian Country: the enthusiastic offers of partnership and congratulations to Donald Trump from one prominent tribal leader, juxtaposed against the devastating federal funding cuts the current administration has inflicted on Native communities.
On Jan. 20, the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe’s social media post warmly congratulated Trump on his inauguration, with Marshall Pierite, chairman of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, lauding the incoming administration as heralding “a new chapter” of opportunity. Days later, Trump froze key tribal programs, sending shockwaves through communities reliant on federal funding. Although some cuts were rescinded, it was just the beginning of what was to come
On March 5, Pierite doubled down, penning an op-ed in Native News Online extolling Trump’s economic policies and pledging the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe’s commitment to bolstering American manufacturing under his leadership. The contradiction could not be more glaring.
While Pierite paints Trump as a champion of economic revitalization, the reality is that his administration’s policies have actively undermined the very tribal economies he claims to support.
An executive order signed last week could force massive cuts to the federal , the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund, which provides financial assistance to small and rural banks — threatening the existence of 69 Treasury-certified Native CDFIs that provide essential financial services in areas where traditional banks are scarce. And Trump has now ordered the gutting of the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), which is dedicated to supporting minority-owned businesses.
Trump has also rolled back a Biden-era executive order that was designed to strengthen tribal self-determination by easing access to federal funding. Instead of reducing bureaucratic barriers, this revocation reinstates federal interference and erodes tribal autonomy..
Pierite’s op-ed touts the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe’s plans to lead in revitalizing the manufacturing sector. However, this notion runs counter to the economic reality under Trump’s policies. In fact, Trump’s erratic tariffs and other economic policies threaten the gains made in U.S. manufacturing, putting the sector at risk of collapse..
Even within the textile industry, which Pierite specifically highlights, the feasibility of large-scale domestic production remains dubious. A Reuters report indicates that while some U.S. clothing manufacturers have seen increased orders due to Trump’s tariffs, the overall industry lacks the labor force, infrastructure, and cost efficiency to sustain a meaningful shift back to domestic production. Trump’s economic policies are not laying the groundwork for a manufacturing boom—they are creating uncertainty that stifles investment and destabilizes industries.
Trump’s actions follow a pattern typical of narcissistic personalities: grand promises, manipulation through flattery, and an ultimate betrayal of those who place their trust in him. The textbook narcissist thrives on control and deception, dangling the illusion of prosperity while dismantling the very structures that sustain it. Indian Country, which has long fought for sovereignty and economic self-sufficiency, is now at risk of being set back by a century due to these tactics.
It is concerning that some tribal leaders, including Pierite, have fallen into this trap — publicly aligning themselves with an administration that is actively dismantling the foundation of tribal economies. This is not a matter of partisan loyalty but of survival. Tribal sovereignty cannot be selectively upheld when it aligns with one’s business interests while ignoring the broader devastation inflicted upon Native communities.
Unlike casino-backed tribes such as the Tunica-Biloxi, many tribal nations rely on federal programs to build their economies. The notion of “every tribe for itself,’ as his op-ed suggests, is not only short-sighted but dangerous. Indian Country has historically thrived through unity and collective advocacy. Instead of aligning with an administration that has proven hostile to tribal interests, our leaders must engage in bipartisan efforts to protect sovereignty, preserve treaty obligations, and secure long-term economic stability.
Pierite’s praise of Trump is not just a misstep — it is an endorsement of policies that are actively harming Indian Country. To move forward, tribal leadership must recognize the reality of the situation: sovereignty is not a bargaining chip, and economic development cannot thrive under an administration that systematically undercuts its foundation. The time for illusions is over. Indian Country must stand together to ensure that our nations remain strong, our lands protected, and our sovereignty respected—not just for the next election cycle, but for generations to come.
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In the ever-turbulent landscape of tribal sovereignty, the past months have exposed stark contradictions across Indian Country: the enthusiastic offers of partnership and congratulations to Donald Trump from one prominent tribal leader, juxtaposed against the devastating federal funding cuts the current administration has inflicted on Native communities.
On Jan. 20, the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe’s social media post warmly congratulated Trump on his inauguration, with Marshall Pierite, chairman of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, lauding the incoming administration as heralding “a new chapter” of opportunity. Days later, Trump froze key tribal programs, sending shockwaves through communities reliant on federal funding. Although some cuts were rescinded, it was just the beginning of what was to come
On March 5, Pierite doubled down, penning an op-ed in Native News Online extolling Trump’s economic policies and pledging the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe’s commitment to bolstering American manufacturing under his leadership. The contradiction could not be more glaring.
While Pierite paints Trump as a champion of economic revitalization, the reality is that his administration’s policies have actively undermined the very tribal economies he claims to support.
An executive order signed last week could force massive cuts to the federal , the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund, which provides financial assistance to small and rural banks — threatening the existence of 69 Treasury-certified Native CDFIs that provide essential financial services in areas where traditional banks are scarce. And Trump has now ordered the gutting of the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), which is dedicated to supporting minority-owned businesses.
Trump has also rolled back a Biden-era executive order that was designed to strengthen tribal self-determination by easing access to federal funding. Instead of reducing bureaucratic barriers, this revocation reinstates federal interference and erodes tribal autonomy..
Pierite’s op-ed touts the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe’s plans to lead in revitalizing the manufacturing sector. However, this notion runs counter to the economic reality under Trump’s policies. In fact, Trump’s erratic tariffs and other economic policies threaten the gains made in U.S. manufacturing, putting the sector at risk of collapse..
Even within the textile industry, which Pierite specifically highlights, the feasibility of large-scale domestic production remains dubious. A Reuters report indicates that while some U.S. clothing manufacturers have seen increased orders due to Trump’s tariffs, the overall industry lacks the labor force, infrastructure, and cost efficiency to sustain a meaningful shift back to domestic production. Trump’s economic policies are not laying the groundwork for a manufacturing boom—they are creating uncertainty that stifles investment and destabilizes industries.
Trump’s actions follow a pattern typical of narcissistic personalities: grand promises, manipulation through flattery, and an ultimate betrayal of those who place their trust in him. The textbook narcissist thrives on control and deception, dangling the illusion of prosperity while dismantling the very structures that sustain it. Indian Country, which has long fought for sovereignty and economic self-sufficiency, is now at risk of being set back by a century due to these tactics.
It is concerning that some tribal leaders, including Pierite, have fallen into this trap — publicly aligning themselves with an administration that is actively dismantling the foundation of tribal economies. This is not a matter of partisan loyalty but of survival. Tribal sovereignty cannot be selectively upheld when it aligns with one’s business interests while ignoring the broader devastation inflicted upon Native communities.
Unlike casino-backed tribes such as the Tunica-Biloxi, many tribal nations rely on federal programs to build their economies. The notion of “every tribe for itself,’ as his op-ed suggests, is not only short-sighted but dangerous. Indian Country has historically thrived through unity and collective advocacy. Instead of aligning with an administration that has proven hostile to tribal interests, our leaders must engage in bipartisan efforts to protect sovereignty, preserve treaty obligations, and secure long-term economic stability.
Pierite’s praise of Trump is not just a misstep — it is an endorsement of policies that are actively harming Indian Country. To move forward, tribal leadership must recognize the reality of the situation: sovereignty is not a bargaining chip, and economic development cannot thrive under an administration that systematically undercuts its foundation. The time for illusions is over. Indian Country must stand together to ensure that our nations remain strong, our lands protected, and our sovereignty respected—not just for the next election cycle, but for generations to come.
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Brandi Liberty
Brandi Liberty is an enrolled member of the Iowa Tribe of Kansas & Nebraska and a descendant of the United Houma Nation in Southern Louisiana. She is the owner of The Luak Group and its subsidiary... More by Brandi Liberty