Will Oregon be punished for being a sanctuary state?
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- As Donald Trump prepares to once again assume the office of the president, he's not been shy about what he plans to do about many hot button topics, like immigration.
Oregon, a very blue state for a long time, is one of a dozen sanctuary states preventing police and sheriffs from carrying out federal immigration law.
But could Oregon be punished by Trump or his policies for being a sanctuary state?
Kevin Hoar, a longtime Oregon State Republican Party activist, is optimistic there will be common ground to be found before punishments are meted out.
"We're going to find common ground on a lot of things and I have heard from some people here in Oregon saying that they want to do something about what's happened at the border, that it's just unacceptable, that the fentanyl coming in is unacceptable. We are actually very optimistic that this will showcase an alternative approach that maybe there's going to be more common ground than people are willing to admit," Hoar told KOIN 6 News on Sunday.
"There will be a lot of disagreement about what the role of sanctuary states are, whether or not we're going to see funding for things that are actually exacerbating some of the problems people in this last election across the country demanded by solved. I'm just going to remain optimistic."
Asked directly if he thinks Oregon will be treated well, Hoar said, "I think if we have the best interest of the voters at heart then I think it's going to be fine."
He said many Republicans feel Oregon missed an opportunity to choose a different and better direction in the state.
"There's a lot of problems in this state. The solutions being applied are costing a lot of money but aren't producing the results a lot of folks hoped for," he said. "So the top issues in the election, we Republicans believe are now being addressed at the national level."
Hoar had planned to be at the inauguration on Monday but had to change his plans when Trump announced the swearing-in ceremony and speech will be held inside at the Capitol Rotunda (with limited seating) due to frigid weather conditions.
He said he was disappointed he won't be there -- but he'll watch it on TV and be warm.