U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., vowed during a town hall in Baker City on Sunday, April 13, that he would fight any effort by the Trump administration to sell public land either to states or private buyers.

The senator deemed as “terrible” a bill recently passed by the House to require people to show proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections, and he said, referring to the administration deporting people without due process, “The government could do the same damn thing to any of us.”

The one-hour event in the auditorium at Baker High School drew an audience of about 150.

Merkley devoted most of the hour to taking questions from the audience. People were given a numbered ticket when they entered, and the senator called out numbers to determine who asked questions.

Prior to the meeting, Merkley answered a few questions from the Baker City Herald.

Regarding the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce what it calls fraud, waste and abuse in the federal government, Merkley said he believes that is a valid goal but that he opposes the administration’s tactics.

The proper way to address waste in any federal department, Merkley said, is to make a “detailed review” of the agency and make decisions based on the findings.

“That’s just not what this is,” he said, describing the work of the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk.

“This is just massive carnage,” Merkley said. “It’s shock and burn.”

Merkley said he is eager to see details of the administration’s proposal to possibly create a separate federal agency that would focus on fighting wildfires. The Washington Post reported about a draft executive order on the topic that Trump is considering.

Merkley said such a move could possibly be more efficient, but that he’s concerned the idea “hasn’t been thought through.”

Recognizing rural fire districts

The senator highlighted the work of two rangeland fire protection associations, Burnt River and Pine Valley.

Bert Siddoway represented Burnt River, and Kathleen Moore represented Greater Pine Valley. Both talked about the major wildfires that burned in Baker County during the summer of 2023.

Moore talked about the importance of local agencies working with state and federal agencies that also fight wildfires.

“Through the agency support we’ve been able to get firefighting equipment and gear,” she said.

Siddoway and Moore both thanked Merkley for his support of federal programs that aid local volunteer firefighting agencies.

“It would be impossible to fight without the support and the funding we receive from the state of Oregon,” Siddoway said.

Merkley presented both Moore and Siddoway with U.S. flags that had been flown over the U.S. Capitol.

Merkley introductory remarks

The senator talked about the importance of having town halls — Baker City’s was his 602nd — in hearing about concerns from his constituents.

Questions from the audience

Marcy Edwards of Baker City said public lands are important to her. She asked Merkley about possible proposals of selling federal lands either to a state or to private buyers. She asked whether that would take an act of Congress.

Merkley said: “I’ll be damned if I’m going to let our public lands be owned by billionaires.”

Chris Johnson of Baker City asked Merkley about the “great middle of the road” in political debates of the past. Johnson said he believes “extremes” on both the political left and right are dominating the national conversation. He asked Merkley how we can “engage the great middle America” whose voices might not be heard.

Merkley said America had “big differences” over issues such as the civil rights movement and the Vietnam war.

“Now we’re in a much more polarized space,” Merkley said.

He talked about cable television on both sides of the political spectrum that “demonizes” people on the other side, a movement exacerbated by social media. Merkley called these “communication bubbles.”

Merkley said he seeks to find a Republican senator to sign on with legislation he introduces.

“We find the area where our views overlap,” he said.

Merkley also said the Senate is “paralyzed right now” with the 60-vote requirement to bring a bill to the floor.

He said the Oregon Legislature works more effectively to debate and then pass legislation.

In a follow up question, Johnson said he wants to know how members of Congress can encourage people to become more engaged in politics.

Merkley said there has been a “huge surge” in turnout for recent town halls for himself and his fellow senator, Ron Wyden.

“People are turning out because they’re so concerned about circumstances across the nation,” Merkley said. “That’s a real positive.”

He said he has lobbied for a debate on the Senate floor about how to stabilize Social Security.

Merkley said he also believes schools should teach more about civics.

Voting eligibility

Marilyn Dudek asked about the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, which the House passed, with almost all Democrats opposed.

“It’s a terrible bill,” Merkley said. He said it would end vote-by-mail, which Oregon has had for more than 20 years, and potentially affect people who, for instance, change their name, as it would require voters to show ID before voting.

He called it a “deliberate effort” to prevent people from voting and described it as “un-American.” He said he believes all Americans should be allowed to vote by mail.

Merkley said the bill will “die in the Senate.”

“We will put a knife through its heart,” he said.

Federal budget and the Senate’s power

In regard to the federal budget, Merkley said he is concerned about potential attempts in Congress to reduce spending on Medicaid, which pays for the Oregon Health Plan.

He said he opposes attempts to reduce spending on such programs to benefit the wealthy.

Mickey Edwards asked Merkley why the “Senate has given up so much of its power to the executive branch.”

Merkley referenced the recent debate over a federal spending bill, the so-called “reconciliation bill.”

He said all 11 spending committees produced bipartisan bills, but that the House of Representatives rejected those. That raised the prospect of a federal government shutdown.

Merkley said he pushed for Democrats in the Senate to push for the bipartisan bills, at the risk of a government shutdown. He said he didn’t believe that, in that event, the government would in effect have been operated by the executive branch.

He said he argued against the Senate approving the reconciliation bill. He said he hopes that a bipartisan spending bill would be approved before the current spending bill expires at the end of September.

What can citizens do?

Dick Haines said he believes “we live in chaos” and that it’s “intentional.”

“I just don’t see any end to sight in terms of laws that are being violated, and violations of the Constitution,” Haines said.

He asked Merkley what citizens can do, that they’re not doing, to support efforts to stop what’s been happening.

Merkley said that last year the U.S. Supreme Court “found some invisible ink” in the Constitution, referring to a decision regarding whether the president can be indicted.

“I was just floored,” Merkley said. “Because our founders were so afraid of a president becoming a king.”

The Supreme Court’s role is “not to create policy,” Merkley said, but to interpret the Constitution.

“Now you have the whole executive branch acting as if it’s above the law,” Merkley said.

He mentioned the Trump administration firing 17 inspectors general without the 30 days’ notice required by law.

Merkley also criticized, as a “massive violation,” the administration’s firings in the U.S. Agency for International Development.”

Merkley said he understands it’s tempting for people to “curl up on their couch.”

“Be fierce in holding your elected officials accountable,” he said.

He also encouraged people to join a group that is trying to counter federal actions they dislike rather than trying to advocate alone.

Preserving rural post offices

Janet Kerns said she is concerned about keeping postal service, libraries and museums in rural communities. She also mentioned the potential to revive the Amtrak passenger train route that passed through Baker City until 1997.

Merkley said Amtrak isn’t likely to return soon, but that the idea at least has been broached.

As for rural post offices, Merkley said he has met with residents and learned how important post offices are, not only for commerce but as “social centers.” He said a proposal to close up to 40 rural offices years ago was defeated.

“I’m all in for the post office,” Merkley said.

He noted that the post office is the only federal agency mentioned in the Constitution.

He said he opposes turning over mail delivery to a for-profit organization.

Deportations

Suzanne Fouty asked Merkley about deportations.

“This lack of due process should make all of us extraordinarily frightened,” Fouty said. “How do we change this?”

Merkley said the administration is using a 1953 law, dating to the McCarthy era, to target people based on the opinions they express, and taking away their visas.

For deportations, Merkley noted that the administration has cited a 1796 federal act to justify some deportations.

Merkley also referenced the Trump administration’s recent tariffs. Merkley said the administration is “repurposing” laws to impose tariffs.

Merkley, referencing the deportation of Venezuelan gang members, said everyone should care about people, regardless of their status, being arrested without due process.

“The government could do the same damn thing to any of us,” Merkley said. “Due process is the guarantor of our freedom. It is essential to our freedom.”

Deborah Hammond said she disagrees with most of the administration’s actions. She said she doesn’t see “guardrails” in legal terms that block the many recent executive orders. She asked what can be done given that Republicans have majorities in the House and Senate.

Merkley said he understands that the legal challenges to Trump administration actions can be frustrating because they take time to progress from district to state to federal courts.

He mentioned the firings, and rehirings, of federal employees.

“I want to hold out hope that the courts” will push back against the administration, he said.

He noted that the Senate, in bipartisan action, blocked the administration from imposing tariffs on Canada.

Merkley also noted that Trump, after hearing from citizens after major drops in the stock and bond markets after the president imposed tariffs, was followed by Trump putting a pause on most of those tariffs.

“Together it’s making a real difference,” Merkley said.

He also noted that senators, if they want to run for re-election in 2026, will need to consider their constituents.

“I took an oath to the Constitution, I didn’t take an oath to Donald Trump,” Merkley said.

Senator urges people to enjoy Oregon’s beauty

Merkley concluded by saying that America has faced “very challenging situations” in the past.

“We found our way out of those dark areas and we can again with engaged citizens,” he said.

He also suggested people take a weekend and turn off their phones and news feeds, and instead visit other parts of Oregon as part of what he calls the “Oregon Treasures Quest.” It encourages people to visit at least 10 sites in 10 counties before Nov. 1, 2025.

(More information at OregonTreasuresQuest@Merkley.senate.gov.)

“We are so blessed to live in the most miraculously wonderful land to be found anywhere in the world,” Merkley said. “Hit the road, restore your soul, celebrate our state.”