Oregon Governor Tina Kotek and state Attorney General Dan Rayfield have vowed that they will start arresting federal agents for conducting lawful deportation operations in the state, as well as responding to sustained unrest in the state’s most populous city of Portland.
In a video statement posted to Instagram, Kotek accused the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of carrying out “violent actions” and “stoking fear in the name of immigration enforcement.”
“I believe, as you do, in the rule of law and keeping our communities safe. We also believe in being a welcoming place where our immigrant and refugee communities help our state thrive. The ongoing violent actions of the Federal Department of Homeland Security are unacceptable, going after Oregonians and stoking fear in the name of immigration enforcement.”
She went on to suggest that the state will be pursing criminal charges against federal agents.
“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,” the governor continued. “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.”
Kotek’s comments come after Rayfield, along with Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas County District Attorneys Nathan Vasquez, Kevin Barton, and John Wentworth, issued a joint letter on November 25, 2025, to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. The letter serves as “formal notice” of monitoring and potential state-level prosecutions for actions described as “excessive force during arrests” or “protest policing.”
In the letter, Rayfield claims that several Oregon residents have filed complaints about “excessive force.” It demands an immediate halt to “unlawful and reckless actions,” improved training, coordination with local law enforcement, investigation 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.”
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin responded by accusing Oregon’s Democrat leaders of inciting and enabling violence, pointing to a 1,150 percent increase in assaults on ICE officers, a number of which have involved the use of Molotov cocktails and firearms.
The DOJ has called attempts to arrest federal agents “illegal and futile,” citing the Supremacy Clause, which clearly states that federal law trumps state law. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for Oregon has charged 40+ individuals with federal crimes near the ICE facility since June 2025, a figure that includes multiple arrests for arson and assault.
Should Oregon officials proceed with arrests or prosecutions of federal agents, it would almost certainly spark intense legal battles and risk a constitutional crisis.
