The leaders of the Greater Idaho movement have asked President-elect Donald Trump to support their efforts to have counties in eastern Oregon join Idaho – a state they say is more in tune with them politically, economically and culturally.
“Unlike typical politicians, you have a unique ability as a practical problem-solver to get things done, and your support can bring a peaceful resolution to Oregon’s long-standing east-west divide,” the three leaders said in a Dec. 4 letter to Trump.
Matt McCaw, the executive director of Citizens for Greater Idaho, said Thursday morning that the group has not yet received a response from Trump.
“It takes time for these things to filter through, but we are hopeful that somebody from the administration will reach out to us and pick this up,” McCaw said. “This is an idea whose time has come.”
The letter added that “eastern Oregon residents recognize that representative government will never come from Oregon because we are outvoted on every issue the progressives put forth, leaving us completely disenfranchised
Eh, I wouldn’t count on either of these being STRICTLY NECESSARY. Trump and his cronies have shown considerable willingness to simply bypass restrictions and do things that are blatantly illegal or “don’t work that way”, and it would not surprise me if he’s willing to play ball with white nationalists and rearranges state lines via executive order.
That’s not even a amendments thing, it’s a baseline constitution thing.
Per Article IV, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution:
I suppose one could make an argument about it not being a new state formed by the junction/parts of two or more states, just giving one to another, but I doubt even our current SCOTUS would go for that interpretation, as it’s wildly farfetched.
Trump himself, and several of his Cabinet, have stated they believe they are a “post-Constitution” administration. I fully believe this means that they intend to ignore constitutionality, and I don’t have a doubt in my mind that his backers in Congress and on the Supreme Court will support him doing so.
This is effectively him channeling his favorite president, Andrew Jackson: “the court has made their decision [that what I did was illegal], now let them enforce it.” Without anyone willing to enforce consequences, real consequences, not a lot will stop them from simply ignoring the Constitution.