Astoria, OR – A month after the 2024 election, Oregon’s top Democratic officials are beginning to strategize how to protect the state’s progressive policies in the face of a second Trump administration. Governor Tina Kotek, along with other key state leaders, held a private meeting on Monday to discuss potential threats posed by federal policies under President-elect Donald Trump and how they might respond.
The meeting, which took place while Oregon’s elected officials attended a business conference in Portland, included Kotek, Attorney General-elect Dan Rayfield, Secretary of State-elect Tobias Read, Treasurer-elect Elizabeth Steiner, Labor Commissioner Christina Stephenson, House Speaker Julie Fahey, and Senate President Rob Wagner. According to Kotek’s office, the gathering was focused on aligning the state’s leadership and discussing how to defend what they called “Oregon values” in a changing political landscape.
During the meeting, participants outlined their respective roles in safeguarding the rights and values of Oregonians, including ensuring a functioning democracy and upholding state laws. Kotek spokesperson Elisabeth Shepard emphasized that the discussions also included establishing points of contact for ongoing coordination among the various offices as they prepare for potential federal challenges.
While much of the conversation centered on broad goals, Oregon officials are anticipating a range of potential threats to state policies under the incoming administration. Among the most pressing concerns are Trump’s past calls for mass deportations, his proposals to enact tariffs that could hurt Oregon’s economy, and efforts to reduce or eliminate federal payments that support the state’s transition to clean energy. Another potential flashpoint is Trump’s stance on sanctuary cities—Oregon, which has sanctuary laws preventing local officials from working with federal immigration enforcement agents, could face cuts in federal funding if Trump follows through on his threats to withhold money from such states and cities.
Oregon has historically been at odds with Trump’s policies, particularly during his first term, and officials in the state are bracing for more of the same in a second term. However, state leaders have been cautious in their public rhetoric so far. Kotek has repeatedly stated that while she will “defend Oregon values” such as access to abortion and environmental protections, she also intends to “work with the incoming administration” whenever possible.
Despite these conciliatory remarks, Oregon’s leaders are not waiting passively for federal actions to unfold. The meeting was seen as the first step toward creating a coordinated response to whatever policies come from Washington. Rayfield, the incoming attorney general, will play a crucial role in this effort, especially as Oregon’s Department of Justice may find itself involved in legal battles over federal policies.
Kotek’s recently proposed budget includes an additional $1 million in funding for the Oregon Department of Justice to prepare for potential legal challenges to federal policies that threaten the state’s priorities. While Kotek did not specify exactly how the funds would be used, she indicated that the money could help bolster the department’s ability to respond to the anticipated wave of challenges, whether in the courts or through other legal avenues.
“We know that a lot of challenges will come our way based on current federal regulation,” Kotek told reporters last week. She noted that the funding allocation was intended to provide flexibility for Rayfield and his team to make their case for additional resources as they work to protect Oregon’s interests.
The meeting and Kotek’s proposed budget signal that Oregon’s Democratic leadership is taking a proactive approach to defending state policies, even as they remain cautiously optimistic about their ability to work with the incoming Trump administration. With a potential conflict looming over key issues like immigration enforcement, environmental policy, and state sovereignty, Oregon’s top Democrats are determined to defend the state’s values and to coordinate effectively in the face of federal pushback.
As the new year approaches, the state’s leaders will continue to monitor developments from Washington, preparing for whatever comes next under a second Trump administration.
