Rep. Derek Tran hopes protecting America’s global economic standing is a bipartisan issue as budget negotiations continue on Capitol Hill this year.
Tran, D-Orange, said he wants to see the country’s “competitive advantage with China” improve — and that could be an area where President Donald Trump and Republicans’ agendas align with House Democrats’ proposals.
Still, Tran said he is concerned that Trump’s initial tariff plans are “ill-conceived and poorly targeted to meet our strategic goals.” And he’s critical of the role billionaire Elon Musk is playing in the executive branch, alleging that Musk “is slashing critical resources that help the U.S. stay ahead of China technologically, diplomatically and militarily.”
This year, as legislative work in Washington, D.C., gets underway, we’re reintroducing our readers to the six House members who represent at least a portion of Orange County, veterans and newcomers alike. We asked each lawmaker five questions, tailored to their policy expertise, committee assignments or votes.
Tran, 44, represents California’s 45th Congressional District in Orange and Los Angeles counties. An attorney and Army veteran, this is Tran’s first term in Congress. He made history with his election as the first Vietnamese American from California to serve in the House.
Read on to find out more about how Tran proposes Congress balance public safety concerns and immigration reform and what he thinks Washington can do to help small businesses.
Q: You were recently named to the Committee on Small Business. With President Trump imposing — or even threatening — new tariffs on Canada, China and Mexico, in particular, what impacts will small businesses in your district feel? How can Congress protect small businesses amid a potentially expensive trade war?
A: I have co-owned a small independent pharmacy with my wife for years, and we have experienced the kind of challenges many small business owners are facing firsthand. I’m hopeful that I can utilize my position on the Small Business Committee to make it easier for my constituents to start and grow a business — that includes fighting back against these misguided tariffs that make goods more costly for both business owners and consumers. We know tariffs will negatively impact small businesses because of the damage caused by President Trump’s tariffs during his first term.
Congress should be focused on tackling existing challenges like eliminating cumbersome barriers to start-up capital, but President Trump keeps creating new problems that we need to solve.
Q: Are there any alignments between Trump’s early trade plans and House Democrats’ proposals?
A: I’m committed to improving the United States’ competitive advantage with China and using whatever means possible to achieve the best outcomes for American businesses and consumers. Protecting our global economic standing should not be a Republican or Democratic issue — it should be a national imperative that is addressed in a united, bipartisan way.
I worry, however, that President Trump’s initial tariff proposal was ill-conceived and poorly targeted to meet our strategic goals. Additionally, President Trump has handed a vast swath of our federal government over to Elon Musk, who is slashing critical resources that help the U.S. stay ahead of China technologically, diplomatically and militarily.
Q: You were critical of President Trump’s pardons for people charged with crimes related to the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, saying on social media that “anybody convicted of assaulting a police officer has no business being back on our streets.” Given that comment, will you support the Republican-led effort to make assaulting a police officer by a noncitizen a deportable offense?
A: My record clearly shows strong support for public safety and law enforcement. I will be evaluating the merits of the bill until it is brought up for consideration by the full House.
Q: Budget negotiations are underway, with questions mounting over whether conditions could be attached to future disaster relief aid or if a budget deal will include protections for certain federal agencies amid the Trump administration’s efforts to overhaul them. What’s a specific priority for you in this next spending plan? And how do you plan to advocate for it? And how many people in your district would it impact?
A: My first priority in any policy negotiation is ensuring that my constituents have the resources they need to thrive and get ahead — and this includes preserving funding for programs that help our seniors, veterans and families have a good quality of life. It is shameful that President Trump and Speaker (Mike) Johnson have been publicly considering limiting or conditioning disaster aid for California while residents are doing everything they can to rebuild their lives from these horrific and deadly fires. This budget must reflect the real needs of American families, not the president’s political grievances.
Q: Some of your first votes as a member of Congress were in support of Republican-led immigration and border security measures. Given that your district is home to a large immigrant population, how will you strike a balance between representing their interests while supporting policies that address border security concerns?
A: My neighbors’ concerns on issues of public safety and immigration reform are my concerns, too. My votes support holding all criminals accountable, regardless of immigration status. This includes ensuring justice for those who assault law enforcement officers or inflict violent harm on others, protecting both our officers and our communities.
At the same time, I am also deeply concerned about our broken immigration system and hope my Republican colleagues get serious about the challenges we’re facing. Indiscriminately targeting law-abiding immigrants and separating families that have gainfully contributed to our community and economy for decades makes zero sense. I stand ready to work with anyone willing to work with me on a comprehensive solution that will both secure our border while safeguarding DACA recipients, protecting legal pathways to citizenship, and promoting opportunities for law-abiding immigrants to achieve the American Dream.
Q: Bonus question: Anything else you’d like your constituents to know about your plans for the year?
A: First and foremost, it is critical that we get serious about curbing the rising cost of food, housing and other basic necessities. I hear every day from constituents who are increasingly worried about being able to afford household needs like groceries and gas. I will fight back against misguided trade and economic policies that will have a devastating impact on middle-class families.
Additionally, I am honored to serve on the House Small Business and Armed Services Committees. California’s 45th Congressional District is home to Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos, a premier joint training site in the National Guard that supports Component Commands. I trained there for a portion of my military service and know how valuable that installation is to our region. California’s 45th District is also home to a robust ecosystem of small businesses, many of which are run by minority, veteran, and women entrepreneurs. These committee assignments put me at the forefront of key issues that matter to the residents of California’s 45th and I’m looking forward to advocating for access to capital, resources and expanded opportunities for the district.
This story has been updated to include Rep. Tran's answer to the bonus question.
