Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — At last week’s Town Hall meeting on deep-sea mining, held at the Governor H. Rex Lee Auditorium, Swains Island Faipule Alex Jennings stood out as the sole member of the Legislature in attendance.

This fact was brought to light by longtime resident Jim McGuire, who addressed the nearly one hundred members of the public gathered at the event. McGuire posed a pointed question: how many faipule — elected to represent the interests of their constituents—were present?

He then invited any faipule in the room to stand so that the public, particularly their constituents, could recognize their presence. Only Faipule Jennings rose to his feet.

“Well, that kinda tells you the whole story,” McGuire remarked. “My only comment is that I think there should be more information involved in this. The United States is a very powerful country, and this property they want to develop lies within the territory’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which is federal land. Everyone here tonight should talk to their faipule and ask, ‘Where were you?’ — because this is a very serious issue.”

McGuire emphasized the need for greater transparency and public access to information, arguing that a deeper understanding of the issue and its potential impacts is vital. He argued that this should be the case for all issues that affect the public.

Referring to the new $40 million Fono building, which is expected to be officially opened later this year, McGuire advocated for all House of Representatives sessions and hearings to be televised. This, he argued, would allow constituents to witness firsthand the actions and deliberations of their elected officials, fostering greater accountability and trust in the legislative process.

He also emphasized the importance of helping the younger generation better understand the issues at hand, noting that the decisions made today will shape both their heritage and their future. He argued that students — particularly those in elementary and high schools — should be informed about this critical issue, as it will have a direct impact on their lives. He added that this topic would have made an excellent research project for the Elementary Schools Science Fair held in March.

The outspoken, longtime resident, who serves as a Special Assistant to the President of the Senate and sits on the American Samoa Zoning Board, expressed concern over the lack of public engagement in key matters that influence decision-making on the island.

As an example, McGuire pointed to the frequent absence of public input on zoning applications, such as those submitted by businesses seeking to build warehouses or commercial facilities in the heart of residential neighborhoods or near public schools. He stressed that these decisions, which often proceed without meaningful community involvement, have lasting consequences for local residents.

Faipule Alex Jennings of Swains Island addressed the gathering, voicing both concern and pragmatism over the growing debate surrounding deep-sea mining in American Samoa’s waters.

Speaking on behalf of the House Speaker, the House Marine Wildlife, Resources, and Fisheries Committee — which he chairs — and the people of Swains Island, Jennings acknowledged the gravity of the issue and the urgency it demands.

He commended Dr. Sabrina Suluai-Mahuka for her comprehensive report outlining the potential environmental harms of deep sea mining. “It was a powerful presentation,” Jennings said. “The impacts she described are serious and deserve our full attention.”

However, Jennings emphasized the need for a balanced approach. “I want to hear both sides of the story,” he said, noting that the issue has already prompted an executive order from the U.S. president and enjoys strong backing at the federal level.

“We’ve been through this before with the national marine sanctuary and fisheries,” he warned. “Once that steamroller starts going, you can’t stop it. So we have to be aligned. What can we do that would best benefit American Samoa?”

Jennings expressed skepticism about the territory’s ability to halt federal initiatives in offshore waters. “Is there really any chance that we can stop the federal government from carrying out deep-sea mining? I really don’t think so,” he said. “Anything beyond three miles is no longer ours, regardless of what the Deed of Cession says. I’m sorry, but that’s what we’ve seen happen in the past.”

In light of these concerns, Jennings announced that he will convene a committee hearing to further examine the issue before the 30-day public comment period expires. He also expressed hope that the territory could secure an extension to allow for more thorough local input.

In an exclusive interview, Faipule Jennings referenced President Trump’s recent Executive Order “Unleashing America’s Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources,” which emphasizes the national security and economic importance of leadership in deep-sea science and seabed mineral resource development. The order states in part:

“The United States has a core national security and economic interest in maintaining leadership in deep-sea science and technology and seabed mineral resources. The United States faces unprecedented economic and national security challenges in securing reliable supplies of critical minerals independent of foreign adversary control.”

He emphasized the jurisdictional reality that anything beyond three miles from shore falls under federal control, regardless of historical claims under the Deed of Cession. “The question is, what is the most effective approach, given that everything beyond 3 miles is under federal jurisdiction?” he asked.

Jennings noted that Swains Island alone accounts for roughly one-third — approximately 100,000 square miles — of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surrounding American Samoa.

He revealed that he continues to receive notifications that a significant concentration of mineral resources exists within this area. Swains Island borders Tokelau’s EEZ to the north and the Cook Islands’ EEZ to the northeast. However, current reports indicate that the areas under consideration for DSM activities are limited to the waters surrounding Manu’a and Rose Atoll, which border the Cook Islands’ EEZ to the east.

He echoed concerns raised by Taulapapa Will Sword, warning that international boundaries offer little protection from transboundary environmental impacts, especially given the involvement of the People’s Republic of China.

"As alluded to by Taulapapa Will Sword, these international boundaries offer no real protection to our domestic waters from the environmental impacts of DSM operations, particularly given the involvement of the People’s Republic of China," he said.

"China has signed DSM agreements with the Cook Islands and holds widespread interests across the Pacific. Numerous reports have shown that Chinese fishing fleets frequently disregard international laws that protect our EEZ."

These sentiments were shared by Jim McGuire, who voiced strong warnings about China’s expanding footprint in the region, urging the American Samoa government to take immediate action.

“The Chinese are in the Territory and they are setting up shop anywhere they can,” McGuire said in a recent statement. “It’s disturbing to see all these Chinese and Asian businesses sprouting up everywhere. The American Samoa government should temporarily halt the entry of more Chinese and Asians.”

In addition to calling for immigration restrictions, McGuire endorsed President Trump’s proposed Birthright Citizenship Act. This controversial measure would end automatic U.S. citizenship for children born on U.S. soil unless at least one parent meets specific criteria:

- Is a U.S. citizen or national

- Holds lawful permanent resident status (green card)

- Is a non-citizen lawfully present and serving in the U.S. Armed Forces

McGuire argued that such a policy would help safeguard national interests and prevent what he described as “citizenship loopholes” that could be exploited by foreign nationals.