{Benton County Sheriff Diane} Simpson was in Boise, Idaho, on Thursday, attending to family business, but she left a detailed voicemail message for the Gazette-Times in response to a request for a comment on Mueller’s letter. She said that she intends to live up to her oath to uphold the U.S. and Oregon Constitutions, but it is not up to her to tell the federal government what laws the Benton County Sheriff’s Office will enforce.

“Many times, I haven’t agreed with all ... laws, but I have to enforce those laws and ensure that deputies and the sheriff’s office enforces those laws.”

Simpson also said that she would not send a letter the way that Mueller and other sheriffs have.

“This whole situation with the letter from Sheriff Mueller, honestly, I think was perhaps a little bit premature without knowing what the federal government intended to do.”

[emphasis o's}