Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Before its regular session yesterday, Thursday, February 20, 2025, the House decided to officially suspend the faipule from Swains Island, Suʻa Alexander Jennings for 30 days.

Suʻa was forcibly removed after a confrontation with House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale last week Wednesday, after making an inquiry into the status of the amendments passed by the House in 2022, which include his right to vote in the House.

Up until this year, he could not vote on the House floor, except in committee.

Suʻa has not been to the House since his removal by the Sergeant-At-Arms.

House Legal Counsel Nathaniel Sotoa Savali addressed the members of the House on Wednesday, Feb. 19, after the regular session and urged them to decide on an official course of action for Suʻa.

When Su’a had been removed from the House he was not been given a specific  consequence for his action.

During Wednesday’s discussion in the House, Savali said it was necessary to fulfil the requirements of the law, otherwise, Suʻa’s status would be tantamount to expulsion, which would require a vote by two-thirds or 14 members of the House.

There was a debate on what Su’a’s punishment would be and various members of the House voiced their concerns. 

Vice Speaker Fetui Fetui, Jr. recommended a harsh punishment for Su’a and repeatedly asked the House counsel what the maximum penalty that could be imposed. He further suggested that Su’a be banned from the House until he had undergone medical evaluation.

Various faipule offered their recommendations:

Faipule Faimealelei Allen — Suʻa be brought before the House to be addressed, and then be handed down the consequences of his actions;

Faipule Dr. Vaʻasā Simanu — Su’a should be summoned and given his punishment;

Faipule Vailoata Amituanaʻi — Su’a should be suspended for 60 days and recommended psychiatric evaluation for reentry to the House;

Faipule Manumaua Wayne Wilson — Su’a should be given a 90-day suspension and require that Su’a get a medical evaluation to ensure the safety of the House;

Faipule Larry Sanitoa  — tried to diffuse the tension in the chamber by citing a scripture that emphasized the importance of love and supported the House Speaker’s 30-day suspension; and,

Faipule Trude Ledoux-Sunia cited House rules which stated that Su’a should pledge not to do what he did again and supported the Speaker’s recommendation of a 30-day suspension. She also raised concerns about the people of Swains Island not having representation if a prolonged sentence was pronounced.

Vice Speaker Fetui reiterated the severity of Su’a’s actions and implored his colleagues to “protect the integrity of the country” and to set an example for the House to follow.

The Manuʻa faipule reminded the House of what Suʻa allegedly did – tearing his clothing open in defiance – and uttering the words, “e lē lava leoleo [the police are not enough].”

“That’s a threat,” the Vice Speaker continued, and urged the House not to take the issue lightly and to think about the future and ensure the punishment given will deter this from occurring again in the future.

After the deliberation, the House agreed to leave it to the Speaker’s discretion to impose suspension terms.

TERMS

A letter will be delivered by the Sergeant-At-Arms to the Swains Island faipule outlining the House Speaker’s decision.

Su’a has 30 days to come before the House and offer an apology (faʻalalolaloga) and take a “satisfactory pledge of future good behavior” to the House.

If he comes before the end of the thirty days and is accepted by the House after fulfilling the requirements of a “satisfactory pledge,” the remaining days will be dismissed.

Due to potential legal ramifications of sanctions imposed, the Speaker has said Suʻa’s pay will not be affected by the suspension.

Of note, there seems to have been no discussion of what will happen if the Swains Island faipule decides not to meet the terms of the 30-day suspension — no apology and no pledge. Can he still return to the House and take his seat after the 30 days?