WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05) joined fellow Democratic lawmakers at the “Nobody Elected Elon!” rally, speaking out against what she called a hostile takeover by unelected billionaires who seek to expand their business empires at the expense of Americans’ privacy and rights. Addressing a passionate crowd, Bynum delivered an impassioned speech denouncing corporate influence over democracy and reaffirming her commitment to protecting the American people.
“I’m a patriot. They never told me I could be a patriot, but I’m a patriot,” Bynum declared. “We are all patriots. … We gon’ tell Elon Musk—now listen to me—get your hands out my pockets. … Get your foot off the Constitution. Take your foot off my neck.”
Bynum, a freshman member of Congress from Oregon, spoke about the personal sacrifices she and other lawmakers make to serve the American people, traveling thousands of miles each week to fight for their constituents. She recounted her upbringing in Washington, D.C., recalling how history lessons about the British burning the city reinforced the importance of defending democracy.
“Because I grew up here in D.C. I was a little girl who rode the 50 line to Pipewood Elementary School, and they had always told us the British had come to storm the city,” she said. “They always reminded us the British had come, and they burned everything down, and we could never let that happen again. They told us. And here we are—Trump and his billionaire Boy Band. They not British this time—this one’s South African. But they came back, and we’re here to say, ‘Bye-bye! Bye-bye! Bye-bye! Bye-bye!’”
Bynum also took direct aim at former President Donald Trump, reminding the crowd of her past legal action against his administration when federal officers deployed to Portland, Oregon, in 2020.
“Trump, I done already sued you one time when y’all came to Portland and y’all were body-snatching. And that had to stop. But I’m here today to tell you—we’re showing up. We are all patriots,” she said.
She then led the crowd in a powerful chant, repeating the demand:
“Get your hands out my pockets!”
“Get your hands out my pockets!”
“Get your hands out my pockets!”
“Get your hands out my pockets!”
Bynum emphasized that the fight is not just for the present, but for future generations.
“Now, it’s important you all know that some of us up here are parents, and the reason we serve in Congress is to secure the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our prosperity,” she said. “That means not just for this generation, but the next generation, and the next generation, and the next generation, and the next generation.”
The Congresswoman closed her remarks by doubling down on her commitment to standing up to corporate overreach and threats to democracy.
“I’m not flying 3,000 miles away every week, twice a week, for you to take my money. I’m not giving an inch, and you’re not giving an inch, and you’re not giving an inch. This is our country,” Bynum said. “Like I said, Trump, I already done sued you once. I’m ready to do it again.”
