When President Donald Trump first announced his plan to deploy the National Guard to protect the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building in Portland, state Rep. Christine Drazan boldly criticized local leaders.
On September 27, Drazan described the assertion from Oregon’s governor and Portland’s mayor that everything was fine as “tone-deaf,” although she did not clearly express support for the deployment of National Guard troops.
Since her initial statement, however, Drazan has refrained from providing additional comments or engaging in public discourse regarding Trump’s move.
A spokesperson for House Republicans initially conveyed that Drazan did not support the deployment of National Guard members from outside the state, but quickly retracted that assertion, claiming it was inaccurate.
In a subsequent conversation, Drazan made it clear that her spokesperson’s comments did not accurately reflect her views and declined to comment further when approached by OPB for an interview.
This reluctance to take a definitive stance appears to mirror the actions of many of Drazan’s fellow Republican lawmakers in Oregon.
To gauge Republican sentiment on the potential deployment, OPB reached out to every Republican state lawmaker in Oregon.
As of Wednesday, only two lawmakers had shared their opinions with OPB.
While some Republican lawmakers have expressed support for local law enforcement to safeguard the federal facility, opinions on the involvement of military personnel have been scarce, with many remaining silent.
Rep. Virgle J. Osborne, R-Roseburg, stated simply, “I have no response at this time.”
Trump’s announcement on Sunday about sending hundreds of National Guard members from Texas and California to Oregon has caused a stir, especially following a federal judge’s temporary block of the deployment.
The legality of the president’s ability to federalize National Guard members was affirmed by a ruling from the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the 9th District.
The president’s motivation for deploying National Guard troops relates to his ongoing narrative of addressing crime in American cities, a narrative he has exaggerated in relation to Portland, describing it as “burning to the ground.”
Despite regular protests at the ICE facility, it remains functional, drawing visits from federal officials such as U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem this past Tuesday.
Drazan, who has been cited as a strong Republican contender for the 2026 governor’s race, recently resigned from her position as House Republican leader to pursue a state Senate seat previously vacated by Republican Daniel Bonham, who took a role within the Trump administration after resigning last month.
Drazan’s earlier comments were particularly forceful, condemning local leaders for allowing “violent mobs and domestic terrorists” to attack federal law enforcement and impede immigration services.
As OPB tried to contact Drazan through various means, including text and email, she mentioned being on the move and requested patience as she reviewed the situation at the ICE facility.
Taking a clear stance could have electoral repercussions for Drazan, who narrowly lost the 2022 governor’s race by less than 4% to the Democratic candidate, Gov. Tina Kotek.
Drazan’s campaign manager did not offer any comments regarding the situation when approached by OPB.
Political analysts suggest that Trump’s actions are creating an awkward predicament for Republican lawmakers.
Christopher Shortell, a political science professor at Portland State University, commented on the cautiousness GOP lawmakers exhibit regarding allegiance to Trump.
He noted that opposition to the president could alienate constituents who support his viewpoints while failing to adhere to the president’s wishes could have serious political consequences.
As political dynamics shift, the complexities surrounding the potential deployment of National Guard members pose challenges for Oregon’s Republican elected officials.
Democrats in Oregon have largely condemned the president’s actions as politically motivated, emphasizing that violent crime rates have actually decreased in Portland.
Asserting that the Democrats are eager to draw attention to their feud with Washington, D.C., Ashley Kuenzi, communications director for the Senate Republicans, criticized the majority party for the cost-of-living issues facing Oregonians.
Kuenzi remarked that instead of addressing their own issues, Democrats focus on the spectacle surrounding Trump’s deployment plans.
Without comprehensive public polling, understanding the general sentiment among Oregonians regarding Trump’s proposed deployment remains challenging.
An NPR-Ipsos poll last month suggested that, while 70% of Americans perceive crime and violence as reaching unacceptable levels, there is widespread opposition to using the National Guard for domestic policing functions.
A more recent Reuters poll indicated that approximately 58% of Americans believe armed troops should only be deployed in response to external threats.
Despite some Republican silence on the issue, the Oregon GOP has not remained completely passive.
On October 5, the state’s official Republican account on X shared a provocative image reflecting police interactions with demonstrators, seemingly endorsing Trump’s National Guard deployment.
However, it was later discovered that the image used by the party comprised various photos from South America, showcasing events separated by nearly ten years.
After the GOP account deleted the post, they still engaged in the conversation, describing the image as a meme and indicating they could generate new content with current Portland screen captures.
Rep. Alek Skarlatos, a former National Guard member from Canyonville, indicated in a television interview that he would volunteer for deployment if he were still serving.
He expressed disappointment that the deployment was necessary to address issues that local leaders should have managed effectively.
Bonham shared similar sentiments in a post on X, expressing shock at the Portland Police Chief’s assertion that aid was unnecessary.
The city’s Democratic leadership has faced criticism from some Republican lawmakers regarding claims of lawlessness in Portland.
Rep. Lucetta Elmer, who recently ascended to the position of House Republican leader, stated she would tour the ICE facility next week and planned to offer more insights following her visit.
Rep. Mark Owens, R-Crane, has chosen to remain neutral, preferring to avoid involving himself with federal issues unless they directly concern his district.
Conversely, some Republican figures have openly supported national deployment.
Rep. Bobby Levy, R-Echo, expressed that he would back any deployment in Northeastern Oregon to ensure community safety.
Levy emphasized the personal connections they have with National Guard members and endorsed the need to support their mission.
Rep. Dwayne Yunker, R-Grants Pass, openly advocated for the deployment, claiming Democratic leadership has failed to maintain order in neighborhoods, and asserting that the National Guard could restore peace.
Yunker conveyed that the chaos present in Portland poses a threat to all Oregonians, establishing a compelling case for the military’s involvement.
Efforts from state and city leaders to block the deployment have gained some traction, leading to the recent federal judge’s ruling against sending National Guard members into Portland.
As the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals prepares to deliberate on the appeal of the president’s decision, the fate of Oregonians and the national narrative surrounding Trump’s use of military force hangs in the balance.
image source from：opb
