Trump Aides Celebrate "Sovereignty" Victory, Omitting Jockey’s Venezuelan Origin Amidst Immigration Crackdown
The 151st Kentucky Derby witnessed an unexpected triumph, a moment seized upon by figures within the Trump administration to champion their political ideology, albeit with a glaring omission. The horse named "Sovereignty" surged ahead to victory, defeating the heavily favored "Journalism," sparking celebrations among some of President Trump’s closest allies. However, their gleeful pronouncements ignored a crucial detail: the jockey who guided Sovereignty to victory, Junior Alvarado, hails from Venezuela, a nation increasingly targeted by the administration’s stringent immigration policies.
Stephen Miller, a key architect of Trump’s immigration policies and Homeland Security Advisor, took to X (formerly Twitter) to proclaim, "In the Trump administration, Sovereignty will ALWAYS win." His statement, laden with political undertones, framed the horse race as a symbolic victory for the administration’s nationalist agenda.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News personality known for his contentious relationship with the press, echoed Miller’s sentiment. He tweeted, "Sovereignty > Journalism. On the track. And in 2025 America." Hegseth’s message explicitly linked the Derby outcome to the broader political landscape, suggesting that the administration’s values would prevail in the upcoming years. The reference to "Journalism" as the losing contender further fueled the narrative of an ideological battle being waged.
The absence of any mention of Junior Alvarado’s Venezuelan origins in these celebratory pronouncements is particularly striking, given the Trump administration’s recent focus on Venezuelan migrants in the United States. Alvarado’s victory occurred a mere two days after the administration implored the Supreme Court to intervene in its efforts to revoke temporary protected status (TPS) for over 300,000 Venezuelan migrants. This move, if successful, would pave the way for the deportation of these individuals.
Alvarado immigrated to the United States in 2007, well before President Joe Biden designated Venezuelans as eligible for TPS. The Justice Department is actively seeking to overturn a federal judge’s order that halted Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noems’ decision to terminate the TPS granted to certain Venezuelans.
The administration’s stance on Venezuelan migrants has been marked by a dual approach: while acknowledging the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, it has simultaneously pursued policies aimed at restricting their entry and expediting deportations. The administration has deported hundreds of Venezuelans to El Salvador, claiming that these individuals are members of the Tren De Aragua gang and pose a national security threat.
However, these deportations have been met with fierce opposition from relatives and lawyers of the deported individuals. They vehemently deny the allegations that the deportees are affiliated with the Tren de Aragua gang, arguing that the administration has not provided sufficient evidence to support these claims. Furthermore, they allege that the deportees were denied the opportunity to contest the allegations against them, raising concerns about due process violations.
The juxtaposition of Alvarado’s victory with the administration’s immigration policies underscores the complex and often contradictory nature of national identity and belonging. While the Trump administration seeks to limit immigration and deport undocumented Venezuelans, a Venezuelan jockey’s triumph on American soil is celebrated as a victory for "Sovereignty." This begs the question: Whose sovereignty is being celebrated, and who is included in the definition of "America?"
The selective celebration of Alvarado’s victory, coupled with the simultaneous pursuit of policies that would deport thousands of his countrymen, highlights the administration’s strategic use of identity politics. By emphasizing the concept of "Sovereignty" while conveniently overlooking the jockey’s national origin, the administration seeks to appeal to its base while avoiding any potential criticism of hypocrisy.
The Kentucky Derby, traditionally a celebration of American culture and equestrian excellence, has become a stage for political maneuvering and ideological posturing. The Trump administration’s response to Sovereignty’s victory reveals the extent to which even seemingly apolitical events can be weaponized to advance a particular political agenda.
The incident raises important questions about the role of sports in shaping national identity and the responsibility of public figures to acknowledge the complexities of immigration and cultural diversity. It also serves as a reminder that seemingly simple victories can be fraught with contradictions and unintended consequences. The administration’s celebratory pronouncements, devoid of context and human consideration, risk alienating communities and undermining the principles of fairness and inclusivity.
The silence surrounding Alvarado’s Venezuelan origin speaks volumes about the selective nature of nationalism and the tendency to embrace success while simultaneously demonizing entire communities. It underscores the need for a more nuanced and humane approach to immigration policy, one that recognizes the contributions of immigrants to American society and upholds the principles of justice and due process. The victory of "Sovereignty," with a Venezuelan jockey in the saddle, could have been a moment to bridge divides and celebrate the diversity of American society. Instead, it was used as a partisan tool to further divide and alienate.
