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Oregon senators denounce federal use of National Guard, immigration actions and call to defend protest rights
Summary
Several Oregon senators used remonstrance time to criticize federal actions in California and national immigration enforcement; they urged defense of peaceful protest and raised concerns about use of military and ICE tactics on U.S. soil.
Several Oregon senators used remonstrances on the Senate floor to criticize recent federal actions they described as overreach and to urge protection of constitutional rights for protesters and migrants.
Senator Pham (floor identification in the transcript as "Senator fam") opened a remonstrance saying she spoke as “a daughter of refugees” and expressed alarm at what she described as deployment of the National Guard in California against Americans exercising their right to protest. On the floor she said recent federal statements supporting the arrest of California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass illustrate a pattern of “weaponizing the military for political gain.” She urged Oregon legislators to “speak out for peaceful protests and against federal overreach and intimidation.”
Later in the remonstrance period Senator Frederick described encounters at his front door and said community members are taking precautions when traveling to California because of immigration enforcement activity. On the floor he used strong language to describe Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) practices, saying people are taking copies of birth certificates and identification “in case someone comes up and says show your papers.” He called the reported actions “outrageous” and compared current enforcement tactics to historical abuses, saying people were understandably fearful.
Other senators responded in the remonstrance period. Senator Gelser Blueen expressed support for the call to defend democratic values and peaceful protest. Senator Robinson offered a literary reflection that was not on the same topic; Senator Meek urged colleagues to demonstrate bipartisan cooperation over the final weeks of the session.
No binding floor action, motions or votes followed these remonstrances; the comments were recorded as floor statements. Senators used the time to call attention to federal‑state tensions, to organize or publicize local demonstrations (one senator referenced a SEIU gathering in Portland) and to encourage public solidarity with affected communities.
The floor record does not show any formal Senate resolution or directive resulting directly from these remonstrances during the session minutes included in the transcript.
