Comments at the White House
PORTLAND, Ore. — U.S. Labor Secretary and former Oregon congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer sparked controversy Tuesday after urging the Trump administration to “crack down” on Portland during a Cabinet meeting at the White House.
In remarks directed to President Trump and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, Chavez-DeRemer praised federal immigration enforcement efforts.
“Thank you to what you’re doing with your agents at ICE,” she told Trump. Turning to Bondi, she added: “And thank you for your prosecution. I hope you’ll come to Portland, Oregon, and crack down.”
She did not specify what form the crackdown should take, though her comments appeared to reference migrants and Portland’s long-standing sanctuary policies.
Political Pushback
The remarks quickly drew backlash from Oregon leaders. U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden criticized Chavez-DeRemer on social media, writing:
“It’s bad enough to flatter the boss as a requirement for employment. But it’s even worse to sell out your fellow Oregonians along the way.”
State and local officials have consistently defended Oregon’s sanctuary laws, which limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. They argue that refusing to act as de facto immigration agents does not violate federal law.
Sanctuary Policies in the Spotlight
The Trump administration has repeatedly threatened Democratic-led cities over immigration, and Oregon has often been a target. Attorney General Bondi has warned Portland and the state that they could lose federal funding if sanctuary policies remain in place.
Governor Tina Kotek has rejected those threats, saying Oregon’s policies are legal and rooted in protecting vulnerable communities. “Oregon does not thwart enforcement,” she previously stated, defending the state’s approach to immigration.
Portland Mayor Keith Wilson has also been outspoken, vowing to resist federal overreach.
“Our officers will not be used as agents of ICE,” Wilson said. “When we see federal abuse, we will bring it to light. We will take action and take the fight to federal courts where we will win.”
National Context
The White House has recently floated the possibility of expanding National Guard deployments to cities such as Chicago, echoing actions already taken in Washington, D.C. That prospect has heightened concerns in Portland, where federal intervention has a contentious history following past clashes between demonstrators and federal agents.
At this stage, there is no indication that Oregon is slated for military deployment. However, Idaho has already committed National Guard troops to support federal immigration enforcement in other regions.
Awaiting Clarification
Following Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, reporters sought clarification from Chavez-DeRemer’s office on what kind of crackdown she envisioned for Portland. As of press time, no further details had been provided.
Her comments highlight the widening divide between the federal administration and Oregon officials over immigration and public safety policy. With tensions already high, the call for a “crackdown” has renewed debates over the balance between federal authority and state autonomy in Portland’s handling of immigration enforcement.
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