Oregon — U.S. Rep. Janelle Bynum is facing mounting criticism from Oregon Republicans after describing recent federal law enforcement actions in Portland as “state-sponsored terrorism,” a statement she has since refused to walk back.
Bynum issued her original statement on January 8, following a federal operation that resulted in a shooting involving suspected members of the transnational Tren de Aragua gang. In a post on social media, she characterized the actions of federal agents as terrorizing communities rather than protecting them.
The following day, January 9, Republican lawmakers and candidates began publicly responding. State Rep. Ed Diehl released a statement calling Bynum’s remarks emblematic of what he described as failed leadership in Oregon, accusing Democratic officials of prioritizing ideology over public safety and the rule of law. Diehl said in his statement:
The rush to judgment was immediate. There was zero consideration for the Oregonians dealing with Tren de Aragua gang activity and the human trafficking that comes with it. Zero respect for the rule of law. Zero concern for victims of gang violence.
Also on January 9, Republican congressional candidate Patti Adair criticized Bynum for what she called a rush to attack law enforcement. Adair said “wait for the investigation to be complete and for all the facts to come out, not incite fear. To be clear, I will always support law enforcement for getting human traffickers off our streets.”
Bynum doubled down on her comments later that day during a CNN interview, responding to questions about her language by saying, “I said what I said,” reinforcing her condemnation of federal law enforcement.
The reactions to Bynum’s statement continued with Jonathan Lockwood, another Republican seeking to challenge Bynum in the 5th Congressional District, issuing a sharply worded statement calling for her expulsion from Congress. Lockwood accused Bynum of dangerous rhetoric that could incite violence against federal agents and argued her comments showed disregard for victims of gang violence and human trafficking.
Janelle Bynum should be formally censured by Congress, if not expelled, for inciting violence against federal agents. While she comes across as very unserious and desperate for left-wing attention, she is still dangerously edging on treason. It is lawlessness to promote violence against federal agents and to turn a blind eye to rape trafficking and gun violence at the hands of transnational cartel members. She has always made it clear she rides with rapists, gangbangers and criminals. But I think she is better serving burgers at her joints she inherited than serving Oregonians in Congress. She is incompetent at best and suspicious generally, but what’s worse is that she could get innocent people killed with her behavior.
Bynum has not indicated she plans to retract or soften her remarks. The episode has may become a focal point in Oregon’s 5th Congressional District race as her remarks have received national attention including a response from the White House, highlighting stark divisions between Democrats and Republicans over federal law enforcement, immigration enforcement, and public safety ahead of the 2026 election.
About the Author
