The Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) announced Tuesday that an innovative strategy involving bait bikes led to the arrest of more than 34 individuals in Oregon. This initiative aims to combat theft by catching those targeting stolen property.

In mid-April 2026, the operation began by deploying bikes equipped with special tracking devices in various sites around Aloha, a community located just west of Portland. This proactive measure was designed to address the rise in theft cases in the area.

Authorities have hailed the approach as remarkably effective. In less than three months, the bait bikes were stolen multiple times, but deputies were able to swiftly recover them and make numerous arrests. The sheriff’s office confirmed in a statement that each theft of these specially equipped bikes led quickly to apprehensions.

“The bait bike has been repeatedly stolen and, shortly after, recovered by deputies, leading to arrests,” the sheriff’s department reported, highlighting the success of the operation in both preventing theft and bringing perpetrators to justice.

The program reportedly used traditional mountain bikes equipped with concealed GPS tracking devices and alarms, which were placed in high-traffic areas where thefts were more likely to occur. 

Graveyard deputies monitored the bikes during their overnight shifts, allowing them to quickly respond when the bait bikes were taken. 

“When the bike is taken, the alarm notifies the deputies monitoring the beacon, and they move in to recover the stolen bike,” the sheriff’s office said. 

AMERICAN DRIVERS WARNED ABOUT RED FLAGS TO AVOID ‘PREDATORY TOWING’ TARGETING MOTORISTS ACROSS US

Nearly three dozen people have been arrested through the operation, with several suspects allegedly found to have outstanding arrest warrants or in possession of controlled substances.

WCSO encouraged bicycle owners to secure their bikes in safe locations and keep records of their serial numbers to assist deputies investigating thefts.

“Sheriff’s Office deputies continue to look for ways to keep Washington County safe and embrace technology as a tool to improve public safety,” WCSO said. 

Residents who witness suspicious activity can contact non-emergency dispatch at 503-629-0111 or call 911 when appropriate.

On Wednesday afternoon, President Trump caused a stir with a lighthearted comment about sharing a ‘threesome’ moment with his adult sons. His jest suggested they’d all merit the Congressional Medal of Honor together.

Reflecting on his sons seated nearby, Trump quipped that he might award himself and one of his sons the prestigious medal, humorously musing on which son might receive it. This was said as he noted technical issues with his teleprompters.

These comments occurred during the President’s visit to North Dakota, where he attended the opening ceremony of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library. Set to welcome visitors officially on Independence Day, the library was the backdrop for Trump’s address.

Amid his discussion on the legacy of Theodore Roosevelt and the iconic duo of Arthur and Douglas MacArthur—both recipients of the nation’s top military honor—Trump shifted the spotlight to his family within the audience.

Trump’s remarks included a nod to genetics, as he praised the historical significance of the Roosevelt and MacArthur families. He then addressed his own sons with a playful, spontaneous narrative.

‘I’ll get one for taking on Russia, Russia, Russia or something. We’ll have a third pair. No, I’m only kidding… this is is dangerous to say because the fake news is up there. They’re all over the place. When I joke, I always, I learned earlier, don’t be sarcastic in politics.’

The remarks drew laughter from the crowd, though his unusual use of the word ‘threesome’ to describe a trio of family medal recipients immediately sparked chatter. 

During the ribbon-cutting festivities at the brand-new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, Trump lavished praise on the 26th President, describing him as ‘a man who I have long admired,’ particularly for his monumental achievement in completing the Panama Canal.

The historical reflection quickly veered into a geopolitical warning, however, as Trump fired off an impromptu jab at Beijing.

‘Now China is trying to take over the Panama Canal, and we’re not going to let that happen. OK, and that was not part of the script, because I don’t really have a script,’ Trump told the crowd.

The 47th President also said that he had already discussed the iconic Central American waterway directly with Roosevelt himself – by conversing with the high-tech artificial intelligence hologram of the late leader featured inside the state-of-the-art facility.

Shifting gears to his upcoming Independence Day plans, Trump teased his highly anticipated July 4th address on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Brushing off the sweltering heat wave set to bake the capital, he promised an endurance test.

‘By the way, on July 4th it’s going to be approximately 107 degrees out, and I’m going to go and I’m going to make a really long speech, just to show that I can do anything,’ Trump boasted.

He compared the upcoming summer scorcher to his 80th birthday celebrations just weeks earlier on June 14, noting that a UFC fight hosted on the White House South Lawn went ahead victoriously despite gloomy forecasts threatening rain in the hours leading up to the main event.

The North Dakota trip was already a highly anticipated and historic event for the administration, serving as the inaugural flight of the newly minted Air Force One jet.

The state-of-the-art aircraft, gifted to the United States by Qatar, was rolled out as part of the administration’s ongoing, grand celebrations for America’s 250th anniversary.

The new Roosevelt facility is expected to draw massive crowds when it formally throws open its doors on July 4th, perfectly timing the 26th President’s American legacy with the nation’s semiquincentennial celebrations.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative has announced that a critical trade agreement with Mexico and Canada will not be renewed.

The deadline was July 1 for the three nations to choose whether to prolong the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) through 2042. With the Trump administration opting not to extend, the USMCA will now remain active but under annual assessments until 2036, at which point it will expire unless a new extension agreement is made.

Jamieson Greer, the U.S. Trade Representative, stated, “The United States will continue discussions with Mexico and Canada to address the agreement’s weaknesses and our trade imbalances with these nations. However, the agreement will stay in effect until these concerns are resolved or until its eventual termination.”

Focus on the U.S. trade deficit

President Trump formally enacted the USMCA in 2020, superseding the former 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement.

The USMCA was designed to diminish trade barriers between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, with the goal of generating American jobs and boosting the manufacturing sector. Among its provisions, the deal imposed stricter regulations on the automotive sector, mandating that 75% of vehicle components be manufactured within North America to bypass import duties.

At an event in Michigan in 2020, Mr. Trump described the pact as the “fairest, most balanced and beneficial trade agreement we have ever signed into law.” But he has since soured on the deal. Speaking to reporters in June, Mr. Trump said the U.S. would “do better as a country” without the agreement.

The USMCA has failed to ease the U.S. trade deficit with Canada and Mexico, a senior Trump administration official told reporters. “We believe that the USMCA does not operate to control the deficit like the president intended,” the person said.

According to the Trade Representative’s office, the U.S. trade deficit with Mexico was nearly $197 billion in 2025, while the trade gap with Canada was over $46 billion.

U.S. officials are scheduled to meet with Mexico represenatatives the week of July 20 for another round of bilateral negotiations. During those talks, the two countries will discuss rules of origin, intellectual property and concerns surrounding Mexico’s compliance with labor obligations, the senior administration official said.

The official did not discuss specific plans to meet with Canada, but said, “We will continue our discussions with our Canadian partners.”

Talks could take years

The Trump administration could decide to withdraw from the USMCA altogether before it expires in 10 years, though that decision will likely depend on how negotiations unfold. Those talks could drag on for years, according to trade experts.

The senior administration official expressed interest in resolving the major sticking points of the trade deal quickly, adding that Mr. Trump could reach an agreement with Mexico and Canada to alter their trade pact before his term expires in 2028.

“The president remains skeptical of this, but I think it’s in the interest of our country to keep negotiating,” the person added.

The impact of a U.S. withdrawal from the USMCA would depend on whether any bilateral trade agreements replaced the pact, according to trade experts. 

“Absent bilateral deals, growth would slow in both Canada and Mexico as the tariff exemption, which has kept both countries’ external sectors afloat over the past year, was removed,” economists with investment advisory firm Capital Economics said in a report.

“But given the average tariff rate would only rise to 10%, rather than the much higher rates previously threatened under IEEPA, recessions could be avoided,” they added, referring to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. 

Edited by

Alain Sherter