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“No government agency is above the law. I fully support the AG and local DAs who have put the federal government on notice. Oregon is monitoring all ICE actions closely. We will investigate misconduct, and if a federal officer breaks Oregon law, they will be held accountable, just like anyone else,” she said. “I will not tolerate reckless or unconstitutional behavior in our state. While ICE activity has seen an uptick in recent weeks, so has the commitment of Oregonians to show up for each other, taking care of their neighbors, and standing up when they see something that isn’t right.”
The governor’s remarks come on the heels of a joint letter sent by Attorney General Rayfield and the district attorneys of Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties—Nathan Vasquez, Kevin Barton, and John Wentworth—to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem on November 25, 2025. The letter formally warned of potential state-level prosecutions for what the officials describe as “excessive force during arrests” and controversial “protest policing.”
Rayfield’s office cited complaints from Oregon residents alleging aggressive tactics by federal officers. The letter demands an immediate stop to what it calls “unlawful and reckless actions,” enhanced officer training, coordination with local law enforcement, thorough investigations of complaints, and full cooperation with state probes.
“The Oregon Department of Justice and the three District Attorneys’ Offices are actively monitoring federal conduct and will investigate any case where a federal officer appears to be acting outside the reasonable scope of their duties,” Rayfield wrote.
Federal authorities have fired back. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin accused Oregon Democrats of encouraging violence, highlighting a reported 1,150 percent rise in assaults on ICE personnel, including attacks involving Molotov cocktails and firearms.
The Justice Department warned that any attempt by state officials to arrest federal agents would be both illegal and ineffective, citing the Supremacy Clause, which establishes that federal law overrides conflicting state law. Since June 2025, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Oregon has already filed federal charges against more than 40 individuals near ICE facilities, including arrests for arson and assault.
If Oregon proceeds with its threat to prosecute federal officers, experts warn it could ignite protracted legal battles and spark a constitutional crisis, raising questions about state authority versus federal power in matters of immigration enforcement.
