Sinn Féin's Washington snub could backfire with US supporters

As Sinn Féin announced on Friday that they would follow the SDLP's lead in boycotting this year's White House St Patrick's Day celebrations, it was clear this move was designed to resonate with their base. Many of the party's supporters had criticised last year’s decision to attend, and this reversal appears to be an attempt to align with those concerns.

At the beginning of the week, it seemed likely that the First Minister would indeed be heading stateside next month. Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly had told the Assembly that neither she nor the First Minister had yet received an invitation but added that they were "not in the spirit of turning down invitations we've not yet received and may never receive."

This stance represents a notable shift from comments made by Mary Lou McDonald ahead of President Trump’s inauguration just last month. At the time, she refused to rule out attending the White House, stating that the “most important” issue was securing a ceasefire in the Middle East. Now, Sinn Féin is framing its decision as a principled stand against US policy in the Middle East, but there is an undeniable irony in boycotting an event that fundamentally celebrates Irish-American relations. For decades, the White House St Patrick’s Day event has provided Irish political leaders with a crucial platform to engage with American counterparts, regardless of the political occupant of the Oval Office.

For Sinn Féin, this announcement carries a potential risk when it comes to its standing among Irish-Americans. Historically, this group has been politically influential in the US and remains one of Donald Trump’s strongest support bases. While Sinn Féin’s boycott is likely to be well received by voters back in Ireland, given the deep-rooted support for the Palestinian cause within nationalism, it remains to be seen how it will be perceived across the Atlantic.

Announcing the decision at a press conference in Dublin also provoked criticism from unionists. DUP leader Gavin Robinson remarked that holding the press conference in Dublin “speaks volumes about where Northern Ireland sits as a priority” for Sinn Féin and suggested that the move “doesn’t align with being a so-called ‘First Minister for All.’”

The DUP, in contrast, has confirmed its intention to attend the Washington, D.C., celebrations. This suggests that deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly will represent the Executive at the event. However, given that the First and deputy First Ministers operate as a joint office, Michelle O’Neill technically has the power to veto Little-Pengelly’s attendance. Such a move, however, would be highly controversial and is unlikely, as it would risk further destabilising Stormont at a time when Northern Ireland's political landscape remains fragile.

While Sinn Féin positions itself as taking a stand on principle, the long-term consequences both at home and abroad remain to be seen.