Rep. Cliff Bentz announces shift to virtual town halls, blames anti-Trump group for previous disruptions

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — After a notable months-long absence of in-person town halls, the lone Republican in Oregon’s congressional delegation has formally announced his intent to shift to virtual meetings, blaming an anti-Trump grassroots organization for hijacking previous meetings.

Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-Ore.) said in a statement on Friday that “intentionally disruptive, repetitive, practiced, rude, and demeaning behavior” at his last four town halls across eastern Oregon was what prompted the decision.

According to Bentz, the February meetings — which previously had less than 100 attendees — drew crowds of 180 in the Boardman, 250 in Baker City, 300 in Pendleton and nearly 500 in La Grande.

“Unlike previous years, many of those attending followed us from town hall meeting to town hall meeting, so that they could pack the house,” Bentz added.

The problems arose during the question portion of the meetings, where Bentz blamed members of Indivisible Oregon for the use of “Catcalls, profane language, derisive and accusatory comments, canned questions, and reading from scripts of screed,” further claiming the group’s intent was to “disrupt, intimidate, and threaten.”

Indivisible Oregon is a chapter of the national Indivisible movement, a grassroots volunteer-led organization focused on protesting against the actions of the Trump administration.

Bentz called their message “false and intended to scare the most vulnerable people in my district.”

“What was abundantly clear is that by holding live in person Town Hall meetings, I was not learning what I could do to make lives better, but instead was providing Indivisible with a forum to spread misinformation, create a false sense of opposition, and drive away local people who are disgusted with meetings that are taken over by the loud and obnoxious,” he added.

As a result, Bentz has shifted to telephone town halls for the time being. He has two upcoming virtual meetings on Sept. 8 and Sept. 17.

Those interested in participating can submit questions in advance on his website or by phone at 541-709-2040 or 541-776-4646.

KOIN 6 has reached out to Indivisible Oregon for comment. This story will be updated if we hear back.