If you’ve driven through eastern Oregon lately, you might have noticed the signs. They aren't just for local sheriff elections or "slow down" warnings. They’re bigger. They say things like "Greater Idaho" in bold, uncompromising letters. It’s a movement that sounds like something out of a political thriller, but for the people living there, it’s basically a fight for survival.
And now, they’ve taken their case all the way to the White House.
The Greater Idaho movement has officially requested support from President Donald Trump to help change the Oregon-Idaho border. This isn't just a casual "hey, check this out" email. It's a calculated plea to the 47th President, hoping his "outside-the-box" approach to governance will be the crowbar that finally pries eastern Oregon away from Salem’s control.
Why the sudden rush to D.C.?
Honestly, the movement feels like it’s hit a bit of a wall at the state level. While 13 Oregon counties have already voted in favor of exploring the move, the Oregon Legislature—dominated by Democrats in the Willamette Valley—has been less than enthusiastic. They’ve mostly ignored it.
Matt McCaw, the executive director of the movement, is pretty blunt about why they’re reaching out to Trump. To him, the President is a "practical problem-solver." The movement’s leadership sent a formal letter arguing that the east-west divide in Oregon is a "long-standing" crisis that needs a peaceful resolution. They’re betting that Trump, who won these eastern counties by massive margins, will see the "disenfranchisement" of these rural voters as a problem worth his time.
The Great Divide (It’s not just a mountain range)
When people talk about the Oregon-Idaho border change, they aren't just talking about maps. They’re talking about two completely different worlds.
In Portland or Eugene, the politics are progressive—think strict environmental regulations, no sales tax, and protected abortion access. But cross the Cascades into the high desert, and you're in a land where the 6% sales tax of Idaho starts to look like a fair trade for a government that supports the timber industry and protects Second Amendment rights.
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It’s about "self-determination." That’s the phrase you’ll hear McCaw use over and over. They feel like they’re being ruled by people 300 miles away who don’t understand that a "one-size-fits-all" law for a Portland suburb doesn't work for a ranch in Baker County.
The Trump Factor: Can he actually do anything?
You’ve gotta wonder—can a President actually just move a border? Well, no. Not by himself.
The U.S. Constitution is pretty specific about this. To change a state line, you need:
- Approval from the Oregon Legislature.
- Approval from the Idaho Legislature.
- Approval from the U.S. Congress.
So why ask Trump?
Influence. If the Trump administration puts its thumb on the scale, it changes the conversation. Imagine the Department of Justice or the Department of the Interior looking into the "civil rights" of disenfranchised rural voters. Or, more simply, imagine Trump using his bully pulpit to shame Oregon’s leadership into sitting down at the negotiating table.
Earlier this year, Idaho Governor Brad Little basically said he’s open to the talks. He’s a Republican. He gets it. The hurdle is Salem. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has acknowledged the frustration but hasn't exactly cleared her schedule to discuss giving away 60% of her state’s landmass.
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Recent Roadblocks and 2026 Stakes
It hasn't all been smooth sailing for the movement. Just this past November, a bit of a "brick wall" emerged. Polling suggested that while eastern Oregonians are all-in, many people in the more populous western side of the state aren't keen on losing territory. They worry about losing resources, land, and even electoral power.
There’s also some internal friction. In Wallowa County, there’s a move to stop the mandatory public meetings about the border change. A ballot measure for May 2026 could actually rescind the requirement for commissioners to even talk about it.
Opponents like David Arlint from Wallowa Lake call the whole thing "unconstitutional," arguing the legislature never authorized these local meetings in the first place. It's getting messy.
What most people get wrong about "Greater Idaho"
A lot of folks think this is a "secession" movement. It’s not.
They aren't trying to leave the United States or form a new country like the "State of Jefferson" folks often talk about. They just want to change the "brand" of their state government. They want to go from being the most conservative part of a blue state to being a normal part of a red state.
It’s actually happened before. West Virginia broke off from Virginia (though that was under much more violent circumstances). More recently, states have adjusted borders for small things, like a river changing course. But moving 15+ counties? That’s massive.
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The Cost of Moving
Let's talk money, because that's where things usually get stuck.
- Land Value: Oregon owns a lot of assets in the east. Schools, prisons, highways. Idaho would likely have to "buy" these out.
- Taxes: Oregonians pay income tax but no sales tax. Idahoans pay both.
- Legal Tangels: Everything from water rights to weed. Pot is legal in Oregon; it’s a big "no" in Idaho. Imagine the chaos on the day the border moves and 20 dispensaries suddenly find themselves in a state where their inventory is a felony.
What’s next for the movement?
The request to the Trump administration is a "Hail Mary," but it’s one that’s getting a lot of traction on social media and in rural town halls.
If you live in these areas or you're following the story, here is what to keep an eye on:
- The 2026 Midterms: If the GOP expands its hold on Congress, the "Greater Idaho" movement might find more friends in D.C. who are willing to sponsor the necessary federal legislation.
- The Wallowa County Vote: The May 2026 election will be a major bellwether. If a pro-movement county votes to stop even talking about it, the momentum might start to fizzle.
- The White House Response: Watch for any mention of "rural representation" or "state borders" in upcoming Trump rallies or executive orders. Even a single tweet (or "Truth") could set the Oregon Legislature on fire.
For now, the border stays where it is. But the "Greater Idaho" movement has proven one thing: they aren't going to just sit quietly and be outvoted. They’ve gone to the top. Now, they’re just waiting to see if the top answers back.
To stay informed, you can track the progress of House Bill 3844 in the Oregon Legislature, which aims to create a task force to study the legal requirements of a border shift. Checking the official Citizens for Greater Idaho website for updated maps and meeting schedules is also a solid way to see if your specific county is still in the "Phase 1" plan.