Leaders of the Greater Idaho Movement ask Trump for help

Leaders of the Greater Idaho Movement, which has worked well over the past five years to place at least 13 counties in eastern and southern Oregon on the Idaho side of the border, have asked new President Trump for help.

The movement’s leaders sent a letter to the new presidential administration

According to the Greater Idaho Movement and KOIN 6 TV in Oregon, the letter asks Trump to help as much as he can to move the process along.

According to the letter:

“Unlike typical politicians, you have a unique ability to get things done as a practical problem solver, and your support can lead to a peaceful resolution to Oregon’s long-standing East-West divide. Helping achieve this would only cement your legacy as a peacemaker and transformational president.”

It was co-written by Greater Idaho President Mike McCarter, Vice President Sandie Gilson and Executive Director Matt McCaw.

In 2020, the movement managed to get the idea of ​​asking voters if they had a choice whether to join Idaho in ballots in Oregon counties. So far, the Greater Idaho Movement has been officially approved in 13 counties, but Umatilla is not one of them.

In 2023, the Idaho House of Representatives passed a bill to begin discussions with Oregon leaders and extended an invitation to OR Governor Tina Kotek. However, it is unknown if she has officially responded.

According to KOIN:

“Advocates hope the new federal government will help make the movement a reality. Many pro-Greater Idaho areas voted for Trump in the November election. This includes about 74% of voters in Crook County, which was the most recent county to support the move.

In contrast to the futile effort to divide Washington state into the Cascades and create a 51st state. In the Liberty State, many believe that Western Oregon would be more willing to “let go” of these counties because they are much more sparsely populated and the economic impact would not be felt nearly as much. The cities in eastern Oregon are Hermiston, LaGrande, pendulum and Ontario, all of which are much smaller than some communities in eastern WA.

Idaho’s accession requires approval from the Oregon State Legislature and Congress.