by Mike DiNapoli

As the Trump administration intensifies pressure on our communities and promotes divisiveness in our cities—from aggressive law enforcement tactics to federal intervention—Oregon’s local leaders are responding swiftly and strategically. Standouts in this effort include Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, representing Oregon’s 1st Congressional District (CD-1), and Portland’s newly elected Mayor, Keith Wilson.Their leadership underscores a commitment to both direct federal engagement and city-level resilience [Oregon Capitol Chronicle].

Rep. Bonamici has consistently taken action to oppose Trump administration policies. In early January and February, Bonamici joined a group of Democratic lawmakers to block the federal dismantling of the Department of Education and championed protection for immigrants and asylum seekers targeted by Trump-era policy. Together they worked with the US Department of Education’s acting director, aiming to prevent executive action aimed at abolishing or dismantling the agency. When barred from entry to the Education building in DC, she and about 20 other members stood firm—drawing national attention to the importance of federal protections for students, schools, immigrants and refugees [OPB], [Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, Facebook].

Currently, Rep. Bonamici, Governor Tina Kotek and Attorney General Dan Rayfield are rallying together, joining elected officials up and down the West coast taking meaningful action to strengthen a coalition of a true, ‘for the people’ action. We, as a party, must stop being primed into being reactive to the Trump Project 2025 playbook. They want us in suspended disbelief, feeling angry and left to only be standing in the defensive position. We, as a coalition, need to be strategic and on the offensive with actions that strengthen democracy, amplify the collective voice of the people and take back control from corporations and billionaires.

Portland’s new mayor, Keith Wilson, has taken a markedly different leadership path—driven by practicality and compassion rather than confrontation: Addressing homelessness with urgency and empathy is no small feat, and Wilson was elected on a platform to end unsheltered homelessness within a year. We have a long way to go with the ambitious task, but Mayor Wilson is focused on providing emergency shelter through churches and community centers and establishing new walk-in nighttime and daytime shelters across the city—actions that contrast sharply with those of the federal administration’s aggressive tactics.

In March, Wilson and the new City Council dramatically broadened the scope of the city’s unarmed crisis response teams. Portland Street Response can now join police, fire and EMTs on a wider range of emergency calls—offering trauma-informed, non-police alternatives—without increasing the already strained budget. Responding to Trump’s anti-DEI executive order, Mayor Wilson issued a local executive order requiring all city bureaus to revise program language, ensuring compliance while maintaining service funding—an uneasy but necessary compromise to avoid losing approximately $350 million in federal grants [Axios], [OPB].

Amid violent anti-ICE protests and Trump’s threat to deploy the National Guard, Wilson reaffirmed Portland’s sanctuary stance, led tabletop readiness drills, and rolled out policing reforms that emphasize de-escalation, limit tear-gas use and foster stronger community engagement. These steps reflect lessons learned from the unrest of 2020 and defend our right to demonstrate without fueling chaos [New York Post], [The Guardian], [Intercept – Riot Squad ].

Oregon’s resistance isn’t limited to Bonamici and Mayor Wilson; leadership across the political spectrum stands firm. Rep. Maxine Dexter has courageously exposed federal immigration tactics through oversight visits to detention centers and advocated fiercely against Medicaid cuts, framing them as a betrayal of Oregonians’ trust. Together, these leaders demonstrate that the defense of democracy knows no single corner of government [OPB].

Oregon’s story is not one of passive resistance but of active resilience. In June, Portland hosted “No Kings Day” rallies, joining people all around Oregon and groups in cities across the country rejecting authoritarianism—making clear that Portlanders will not bow to federal intimidation.

This commitment to collective action is echoed on a larger scale. The united front of Democratic leadership underscores the urgency of defending democratic norms and rejecting authoritarian tactics before they take root. In August, Governor Tina Kotek joined 19 Democratic governors nationwide in signing a joint letter condemning Trump’s threat to deploy the National Guard for domestic law enforcement [OPB].

The unified  words from our elected  leaders cut to the heart of the issue. They jointly issued this statement: “Instead of actually addressing crime, President Trump cut federal funding for law enforcement that states rely on and continues to politicize our military by trying to undermine the executive authority of governors as commanders in chief of their state’s National Guard.” 

The Trump administration thrives on division. Oregon’s leaders—through Bonamici’s federal advocacy and Wilson’s compassionate city governance—are proving that solidarity and strategic action are stronger. From the halls of Congress to the streets of Portland, we are modeling a democracy that resists intimidation and defends the dignity of every person.

Mike DiNapoli is the Multnomah County Democrats Technology Officer and a PCP in Oregon House District 33. He also serves on the Oregon Congressional District 1 Central Committee.

Editor’s Note: Actions You Can Take

• Support your Democratic Party electeds by writing and calling.They need to hear from Democrats! MultDems offer a handy list of our representatives and contact information.
• Make “5 Calls a Day” to urge leaders to stop National Guard deployment in US cities.
• Join the next nationwide No Kings Day rally on October 18. Sign up via Mobilize.