Oregon
Where Should Oregon Stand Up to Donald Trump?
Last weekend, Portlanders sent President Donald Trump a message in the language he speaks most fluently: crowd size.
By official estimates, some 50,000 people packed into Tom McCall Waterfront Park for a “No Kings” rally June 14, most carrying signs decrying Trump’s expansion of executive power. (Or simply wishing him an unhappy birthday.) When the crowd moved onto Southwest Naito Parkway, the march stretched more than a dozen city blocks. People walking east on the Hawthorne Bridge could look down the Willamette River and see marchers in the same line crossing back west on the Morrison Bridge.
As they marched, Portlanders circled the federal building where U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have arrested four asylum seekers this month.
Their message was clear: We won’t stand for this.
The display impressed people getting their first taste of Portland’s political fervor. “Way more people than our town, although our town is ultraliberal as well,” said Jan Chadwick, who was visiting from Santa Cruz, Calif. “This is just incredible.”
It was also impressive in the lack of violence or property damage. A few hundred protesters did trek to ICE headquarters on the South Waterfront, 2 miles away, where they were met with tear gas and flash-bang grenades. Police declared a riot and arrested three people. The scene was so frenzied that it threatened to overwhelm the images of peaceful solidarity from earlier in the day—especially on Fox News, the president’s favored information source. By June 14, Mayor Keith Wilson felt compelled to issue a statement telling Trump not to send in the National Guard, as he has done in Los Angeles.
While the unanimity of dislike for Trump and his tactics was abundantly clear, it was also apparent that the reasons were varied and manifold. Even in Waterfront Park, activists had set up informational booths, like at a county fair. The causes on display included protecting immigrants from deportation—but also trans rights, saving the civil service, climate action, the liberation of Gaza, and single-payer health care. A sign of a progressive movement that embraces overlapping causes? Or is it doing so sometimes at the cost of clarity?
For the past week, WW has asked protesters—both at the Saturday march and encamped outside ICE headquarters—as well as elected officials a single question:
On what issue is it most urgent that Oregon stand up to Donald Trump?
In the following pages, you’ll find their answers. Maybe their thoughts will help you decide, in a perilous moment for our city and our nation, where we must draw the line.
IN THE STREETS
Jane Huey
Marching on “No Kings Day”
“It’s maintaining our status as a sanctuary city. Because we should not be putting up with this kind of fascist behavior that they’re trying to pull.”
IN OFFICE
Elana Pirtle-Guiney
Portland City Council president
“The arrest of asylum seekers in our courthouses is unacceptable. It undermines trust, safety, and the rule of law. It is federal overreach meant to stoke our deepest fears by showing that even the processes and institutions meant to protect us are not safe.
“We are a city that shows up when our community members are being harmed and threatened. We stand up, speak out, and protect each other. If we don’t stand up now for the safety of our asylum seekers and our court systems, we will not be able to protect any of our community members.”
IN THE STREETS
Linda Nishi-Strattner
Marching on “No Kings Day”
“I am concerned about the systematic dismantling of our democracy, the eroding of the power of the Senate and the court, and the eroding of all the checks and balances. It’s very scary for me as a nonwhite person, and also it just feels as though he’s taking too many liberties. He’s seizing power.”
IN OFFICE
Tina Kotek
Oregon governor
“The sheer number of executive orders coming from the Trump administration—which exceeds that of all other presidents at six months in office—shows his goal is to sow chaos at every level of government and undermine our effectiveness at making a difference in people’s lives.
“Based on President Trump’s actions to this point, his focus is a constantly moving target. That means the most important thing we can collectively focus on is not getting knocked off our game in solving the problems that Oregonians need us to solve and holding the line on our values every single time they are under attack. I believe we need to keep delivering for people and not get distracted by the politics. I remain laser-focused on reducing homelessness, improving access to mental health and addiction care, and improving outcomes for Oregon students.”
IN THE STREETS
Briana Nathaniels
Protesting outside ICE headquarters
“Racial profiling. Do not home in on one community based off of assumption. I firmly believe that getting to know people who are different than us will help eliminate a lot of the bias that we’re seeing.”
IN OFFICE
Keith Wilson
Portland mayor
“As a proud sanctuary city in a sanctuary state, we are committed to protecting the rights and dignity of all Portlanders. Federal overreach is our most urgent challenge. ICE raids are tearing families apart and destabilizing the economic and social fabric of our community. Furthermore, the weaponization of federal funding, used to punish cities like Portland for putting people first, undermines our ability to maintain public safety, vital infrastructure, and essential services. We must stand united against policies that compromise our security and prosperity.”
IN THE STREETS
Ann Cunningham
Marching on “No Kings Day”
“Not allowing him to continue to get away with all of his executive actions. We need to keep up the lawsuits.”
IN THE STREETS
Ezgi Uyanik
Ann Cunningham’s granddaughter
“LGBTQ rights.”
IN OFFICE
Dan Rayfield
Oregon attorney general
“The law doesn’t bend just because someone has power or a platform. There’s a lot a president can do within the law—but they still have to follow it. What we’re seeing from the Trump administration isn’t just a difference in policy. It’s about pushing legal boundaries in ways that threaten the foundation of how our government works. Defending democracy means making sure the rules are followed, especially by those at the top. That’s how we protect democracy, and it’s what Oregonians expect me to do.”
IN THE STREETS
Diane Meisenhelter
Riding with the “World on Fire Department” for “No Kings Day”
“We are appalled at what is happening with the Trump administration’s attack on environmental protections, on public lands—like taking away the tribal monies for the salmon, taking away the restoration funds for the dams, selling off hundreds of thousands of acres of public lands, as well as all of the social justice things that are just insane.”
IN OFFICE
Tobias Read
Oregon secretary of state
“A lot of people are asking what they can do to stop the Trump administration from tearing families apart, tanking our economy, and cutting off every program that keeps Americans healthy and alive. Exercising your First Amendment rights is good. We can stop things in the courts, but the only real way to turn this around is by holding President Trump, or any politician you disagree with, accountable at the ballot box. Our Founders fought for the right to vote for a reason: It’s the best way to make the government respect the will of the people. President Trump knows this. That’s why he’s trying to illegally put up barriers between citizens and their right to vote and stripping away security for elections offices and workers. As Oregonians, we must stand by our hardworking local elections officials, protect our safe, fair system of voting from home, and VOTE.”
IN THE STREETS
Daniel Cox
Protesting outside ICE headquarters
“Immigration. Everybody’s an immigrant.”
IN OFFICE
Kayse Jama
State senator, District 24 (Southeast Portland)
“It’s essential to stand up to the Trump administration on due process and the rule of law. We know from history that when a government turns authoritarian against immigrants, they don’t stop there. Leaders who violate the rights of the most vulnerable will move on to threaten the rights of everyone else.”
IN THE STREETS
Deborah Brooks
Marching on “No Kings Day”
“Most important is that he is not above the law. No fascism. I think this show of military march is just reminiscent of pre-World War II. And that frightens me terribly.”
IN OFFICE
Jessica Vega Pederson
Multnomah County chair
“Trump is decimating the federal programs and gutting public health and safety net services like Medicaid, leaving Multnomah County to contemplate being the only provider of more and more critical services that are a lifeline for so many of our residents. This is a devastating disinvestment in the health and well-being of families and communities locally and throughout the country. Lives are on the line. It’s urgent that Oregon’s congressional delegation continue to push back on regressive actions that impact Oregonians and that the rest of Congress push back against policies that harm people in red and blue states alike.”
IN THE STREETS
Scotland
Marching on “No Kings Day”
“The loss of money to science is probably the biggest one for the Portland area with Oregon Health & Science University and all of the studies at threat. And just the offense against trans youth and trans rights. It’s been such a horrible thing that they use for leverage. I thought maybe once the election was over, they would back off of that one and concentrate on all their other horrible things. But no, they’re keeping that one in there. It’s worse every day.”
IN OFFICE
Julia Brim-Edwards
Multnomah County commissioner, District 3 (Southeast and Northeast Portland))
“There are so many issues coming from the Trump administration that are alarming. Distrust in government has grown, political violence has escalated, and disinformation is rampant.
“We are way past partisanship. What we are witnessing from the Trump administration is a sustained and dangerous campaign to undermine civil liberties and individual rights, attack the rule of law, and destroy faith in public institutions.
“Here in Oregon, it’s most urgent that we challenge the assaults on our individual and collective rights and that we fight against the defunding and dismantling of some of what truly makes America great, including science and research, public schools, services to veterans, public health, and equal projections under the law.”
IN THE STREETS
Jade Wolfe
Marching on “No Kings Day”
“I would say immigration as well. I come from a mom who’s an immigrant, so it’s very important to me, and what’s been happening is close to home.”
IN OFFICE
Shannon Singleton
Multnomah County commissioner, District 2 (North and Northeast Portland)
“I would say immigration and all of the accompanying policies around that, including the ICE raids, the deceptive tactics at immigration court, the deployment of National Guard and/or military, and the accompanying threats to funding for jurisdictions across policy areas for what the administration has defined as noncompliance.”
IN THE STREETS
Greg Rands
Marching on “No Kings Day”
“Our forest and the environment. All in all, without an environment, we’re all doomed. I think sooner or later human beings will work out our differences with money and color of skin, but more important than that is just saving our forests.”
IN OFFICE
Steve Novick
Portland city councilor, District 3 (Southeast and Northeast Portland)
“The images we’re seeing of ICE agents and other illegal police actions are horrifying. Even more horrifying is the use of the military in California to oppose dissent. We need to continue to uphold Portland’s sanctuary city policies—and support California’s lawsuit against the illegal and tyrannical use of the military.
“But I’m also thinking about other devastating actions of the Trump administration that we can’t take to the streets and use our bodies to stop. We need to attack the firings of Forest Service and Weather Service personnel that are key to preventing and fighting fires in Oregon. And we need to ensure that 2nd District Congressman Cliff Bentz’s constituents understand that this part of Trump’s agenda is especially deadly. I remember in 2020, when wildfires turned Oregon’s skies black and fires like the Almeda Fire destroyed entire towns. With fire risks rising fast this year, I’m deeply worried about what a gutted Weather Service and fewer firefighting resources will mean.”
IN THE STREETS
Jeri-Michael Lance
Marching on “No Kings Day”
“The reallocation of federal money away from programs that were just starting to be seen and were greatly needed. I think a push away from community policing more into federal policing also really scares me.”
IN OFFICE
Angelita Morillo
Portland city councilor, District 3 (Southeast and Northeast Portland)
“The most urgent issue Oregon must stand up to Donald Trump on is immigration: specifically, the federal government’s aggressive deportation tactics and the encroachment of ICE and other federal agents into local jurisdictions. People are being displaced and criminalized, and the U.S. continues to fund and support policies that drive global instability, only to punish those who seek refuge here.
“We cannot allow federal agents to terrorize our communities unchecked. We cannot be silent while families are separated, while children grow up in cages, and while Black and Brown immigrants are criminalized simply for existing.
“This is the moral fight of our time, and Oregon must be bold in choosing the side of justice.”
IN THE STREETS
Andy Siebe
Protesting outside ICE headquarters
“I mean, immigration is huge. This is a huge issue that affects every single person.
If you’re not an immigrant, you know an immigrant, or you work with an immigrant, or you shop with an immigrant. This is our community. And if we don’t stand up for one another, then who’s going to stand up for us? If we don’t stand up now, when? And if not us, then who?”
Mater Dei junior defensive back Danny Lang has set a tentative commitment date and USC is firmly in the thick of his recruitment. The four-star junior, one of the top prospects in a loaded West Coast 2027 defensive back class, said he plans to make his college decision on in the summer after completing a final round of official visits.
“I’m most likely going to commit on July 2,” Lang told Rivals. “That’s my birthday so I think that would be a good time to lock it in.”
Lang, rated the No. 193 player nationally in the Rivals Industry Ranking, has emerged as a key target for several national powers. He spent his first two high school seasons at safety before transitioning to corner as a junior, a move that showcased his range, instincts, and positional flexibility.
USC’s Position with Lang
Lang confirmed the USC Trojans, Ohio State Buckeyes, Ole Miss Rebels, and Oregon Ducks will receive official visits. The Trojans, however, already hold one of the strongest relationships in the race.
“USC of course is in there,” Lang said to Rivals. “I’ve been there a lot already and have a really strong comfort level and I like what USC is building. My relationship with T-Reed (Trovon Reed, DB) is very strong.”
That track record matters. Lang has visited USC multiple times across the last two years, including two unofficial visits in 2025. The Trojans also offered early and are the only program to host him more than once. Because of this according to Rivals, the Trojans are an overwhelming favorite to land the hometown star with a 95.5 percent chance.
Lang’s game fits the modern college secondary. At 6-foot-1, he can play corner or safety, allowing staffs to match him to multiple roles. As a sophomore he totaled 33 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Those numbers reflect both physicality and a knack for creating turnovers, traits that translate well across alignments.
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A Deep 2027 DB Class USC Wants to Control
The broader context heightens USC’s urgency. The 2027 recruiting cycle on the West Coast is unusually strong at defensive back, and the Trojans are in the mix for several national names.
Aaryn Washington, ranked No. 50 overall, recently named a top two of Georgia and USC, with the Trojans positioned as a legitimate contender. Should he commit, he would become USC’s first defensive back pledge in the 2027 cycle. Duvay Williams, ranked No. 40 nationally, is another priority target. The Gardena native is already polished in press coverage and consistently erases opposing receivers. He is widely viewed as a lean toward USC.
Lang fits cleanly into this picture. He is ranked No. 56 overall and No. 9 at corner, giving USC a chance to land three top-60 national defensive backs from Southern California alone. Honor Fa’alave-Johnson and Gavin Williams also remain high on the Trojans’ board, forming what could become the strongest defensive back haul of the Lincoln Riley era.
Why It Matters for USC
Landing even two of these prospects would reshape USC’s secondary pipeline. Adding three or more would qualify as a foundational class for the program’s long-term defensive rebuild. The Trojans’ staff has put themselves in a competitive position early in the cycle, particularly with local players who have repeatedly visited campus and built trust with the current defensive staff.
Lang’s July decision timeline gives USC a clear target window. His official visits will shape the final stretch, but the Trojans’ familiarity, development pitch, and strong connection with Trovon Reed ensure they will remain a major player until the end.
Gov. Tina Kotek’s commitment to boosting prosperity through economic development is encouraging, and I hope her efforts are successful, (“Oregon’s governor unveiled a ‘roadmap’ to business prosperity. Here’s what’s at stake,” Dec. 2). Too often, Oregon’s leading industries and businesses hear platitudes on the importance of economic development only to witness actions that dilute economic development funds, which provide high returns on investment.
Oregon hospitality and leisure is the third-largest private employer sector, creating more than 200,000 jobs and generating $14 billion in annual economic activity – driven in part by state and local lodging taxes.
The state’s 1.5% lodging tax raises approximately $40 million a year and is reinvested in economic development, including tourism promotion and related infrastructure. But some state lawmakers are trying to increase the tax and divert the additional revenue for things without economic benefits – things which should be paid for with general funds. Worse yet, there are efforts to change how county and city lodging taxes are distributed.
State and local lodging taxes are designed to be an economic development tool, and the current system has proven itself – a $40 million investment at the state level and hundreds of millions at local levels for a $14 billion return.
The economic headwinds facing Oregon’s economy are fierce. We should be laser focused on creating the strongest multiplier effect we can with these finite economic development resources. If lawmakers care about Oregon’s economic prosperity, they will abandon these harmful proposals in the upcoming session, and the governor should rebuke any efforts contrary to the goals of her economic development roadmap.
Jason Brandt
Brandt is president and CEO of the Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association
To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion.
The No. 5 Oregon Ducks thrive on establishing the run before unveiling their explosive plays, and this season is no different with an offensive line that’s a finalist for the coveted Joe Moore Award given to the nation’s best offensive front.
When it comes to creating gaps to run the rock, protecting quarterback Dante Moore, and leading the Oregon trenches once again filled with mostly transfer starters, center Iapani “Poncho” Laloulu is the go-to guy who’s getting major awards nods.
With his first start occurring during Oregon’s Vrbo Fiesta Bowl game against Liberty at the end of the 2023 season as a freshman, the junior from Honolulu, Hawaii is continuing to impress during his junior year as the Ducks prepare to enter the first round of the College Football Playoff against No. 12 James Madison.
Iapani “Poncho” Laloulu Recognized For Multiple Awards
The originator of Oregon’s offensive line nickname “The Law Firm”, Laloulu is currently a finalist for the Rimington Trophy and the Polynesian Player of the Year Award. The Rimington Trophy is awarded to the nation’s best center selected by a group of four different prestigious groups.
Only one Oregon offensive lineman has earned the honor since it began in 2000, with Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson receiving the Rimington Trophy in 2023. Laloulu succeeded Powers-Johnson as Oregon’s starting center.
The other centers in the running include Iowa’s Logan Jones and Florida’s Jake Slaughter.
Iapani “Poncho” Laloulu Could Join Elite Group
The Polynesian Player of the Year Award is given to the most impressive player of Polynesian descent and is presented by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame. Past Oregon winners include Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota (the first ever winner) and Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell.
Mariota and Sewell also won the professional level version of this award along with Indianapolis Colt and fellow former Duck, defensive tackle DeForest Buckner.
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Consistency Amid Offensive Line Changes
One of the primary arguments for Laloulu winning the Rimington Trophy is his ability to work with three entirely different squads throughout his time with the Ducks. Throughout transfer portal deals and recruitment additions, Laloulu is a consistent leader.
Entering his sophomore year, Laloulu led an entirely new look like with guard Nishad Strother, guard Marcus Harper II, tackle Ajani Cornelius, and tackle Josh Conerly Jr. That 2024-2025 offensive line, after a fair amount of struggles in the start of the season, employed Laloulu as the starting center in the Oregon State and UCLA game to end the season as a Joe Moore finalist for the second year straight.
Then, when all but Laloulu departed the team due to draft declarations and eligibility, Laloulu once again helmed a Joe Moore Award finalist line, the third in a row for Oregon and the fourth finalist placing since 2019.
“To see the difference that Poncho is, like there’s a confidence in his game that I think we’ve all known he was going to be a really good player, but to see him now match that maturity and match that confidence in his game because he knows he’s a really good player,” said Oregon offensive line coach A’lique Terry. “I think our whole team is feeling it. He’s a clear leader. He helps us in every single aspect, as far as communication. You can see the player he’s grown into.”
Strength Throughout Challenges
Another factor in Laloulu’s strong performance this season is persistence through injury. During Oregon’s final regular season home game against the USC Trojans, Laloulu exited the game in the first quarter after a left foot/ankle injury. Though second string center Charlie Pickard filled in the gaps fairly well for Laloulu to help secure an Oregon victory.
Laloulu, though not appearing again during the game and evidently limping, appeared the very next week on the road against Washington, showing the grit he possesses as Oregon’s starting center.
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