BEND, Ore. — With the inauguration of President Donald Trump for his second term on Monday, Oregon lawmakers are signaling a renewed commitment to bipartisanship and accountability, despite deep political divides.
Freshman U.S. Representative Janelle Bynum, a Democrat representing Oregon’s 5th District, emphasized the importance of working across party lines to address the needs of Oregonians. Drawing on her experience as a business owner, Bynum expressed agreement with Trump’s disruptive approach to governance, noting that many Americans have grown dissatisfied with the political status quo.
“As a business owner, I can agree with President Trump on being disruptive. And I think the American people said that the status quo wasn’t working for them,” Bynum said. “Our focus will be on fulfilling Oregonians’ needs, regardless of party affiliation.”
Bynum stressed that her priority will be to avoid partisan gridlock and political gamesmanship. “We don’t walk away from the table. We don’t engage in shenanigans. We don’t play little political games. We actually work for the American people and for Oregonians,” she added.
Meanwhile, Republican officials are rallying around Trump’s vision for the country. Connie Welchel, Vice-Chair of the County GOP, sharply criticized the policies of the previous administration, particularly President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. She argued that Biden had failed to deliver tangible improvements, leaving Americans worse off.
“Biden had his so-called Inflation Reduction Act. He’s had four years to prove that. At this point in time, I don’t know what he has to show for his presidency, except that Americans are worse off. So that changes, starting today,” Welchel said.
On the first day of his second term, President Trump took swift action, signing a series of executive orders aimed at fulfilling campaign promises. Among the key measures, Trump declared a national state of emergency at the southern border, focusing on immigration reform—one of the cornerstones of his 2024 campaign.
During his inauguration speech, Trump reiterated his commitment to a “revolution of common sense” and vowed to restore America’s former strength and prosperity. “With these actions, we will begin the complete restoration of America,” he declared. “It’s all about common sense.”
Welchel, echoing Trump’s calls for unity, encouraged those who did not vote for the president to keep an open mind. “I would say to the people who didn’t vote for President Trump to please keep an open mind, and I believe that they are going to enjoy the Trump presidency,” she said.
Closing his address, President Trump sent a clear message to Americans: “From this moment on, America’s decline is over.”
As the new term begins, both Democratic and Republican leaders in Oregon are promising to focus on the needs of their constituents, while navigating the challenges of an increasingly polarized political landscape. Whether this will lead to meaningful bipartisanship remains to be seen, but the calls for unity are growing louder as the country enters a new chapter under President Trump’s leadership.
