Shaanth Nanguneri

Portland’s DA balked at charging federal agents under Oregon law. Then AG Rayfield stepped in The top local prosecutor in the Portland area is cautioning against “unreasonable expectations” for his ability to charge federal agents using state law, after signing onto a statement last week warning the Trump administration that its officers could be held accountable for excessive force.

Multnomah County District Attorney’s office says only Attorney General Dan Rayfield has the resources to investigate excessive force concerns, but the attorney general will seek District Attorney Nathan Vasquez’s stamp of approval.

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek confirms she will be seeking reelection in 2026 • Oregon Capital Chronicle As the state fights slow economic growth and unemployment, Kotek framed herself as a champion of Oregon who would defend working families.

Gov. Tina Kotek made it official: She's running for a second term. More via @shaanthx.bsky.social: oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/12/04/o...

‘People will boycott’: How a coastal city's fight against ICE is making waves across Oregon • Oregon Capital Chronicle Hundreds of Oregonians from Newport and nearby have turned out to two public meetings to voice unanimous opposition to a potential facility.

Reporter @shaanthx.bsky.social recently traveled to Newport to learn more about the coastal city's fight against ICE is making waves across Oregon.

ICE contractor informs Oregon agency of incoming Newport action: ‘Something’s going on’  • Oregon Capital Chronicle It’s the clearest sign yet that a detention center could be coming to the fishing city, where residents have vowed to resist those plans.

A federal contractor representing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement told Oregon officials last week that they are preparing an analysis of an unspecified project that would have significant environmental ramifications for the coastal city of Newport.

ICE contractor informs Oregon agency of incoming Newport action: ‘Something’s going on’  • Oregon Capital Chronicle It’s the clearest sign yet that a detention center could be coming to the fishing city, where residents have vowed to resist those plans.

A federal contractor representing ICE told Oregon officials last week that they are preparing an analysis of an unspecified project that would have significant environmental ramifications for the coastal city of Newport.

oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/11/25/i...

@willametteu.bsky.social students, the Oregon Capital Chronicle is hiring! We're looking for an intern to cover the February 2026 Oregon legislative session. It's a part-time role - more details for students here on their handshake:

app.joinhandshake.com/public/jobs/...

Trump administration sues California over law banning masked federal agents The Trump administration has filed a lawsuit over California’s new laws banning federal agents from wearing masks and requiring them to have identification while conducting operations in the state.

In ICE masking news: The federal government has sued California to prevent enforcement of the state's "No Secret Police Act," which bans federal law and immigration enforcement officials from wearing masks on duty in most circumstances.

apnews.com/article/fede...

Federal defense contractor backs out of potential Oregon Coast ICE facility A defense contractor with a history of providing housing for military operations withdrew its inquiry seeking land at the Newport Municipal Airport, a city official said Wednesday, as growing evidence...

“Maybe somebody thought ‘Oh it’s a small place, it’s rural, they’re probably quiet, we can overpower them,” said City Councilor Steve Hickman.

“We’ve been underestimated.”

www.newsfromthestates.com/article/fede...

License plate recognition, wrongful conviction among 2026 priorities for Oregon lawmakers • Oregon Capital Chronicle During a Monday hearing, the six-member Senate Interim Judiciary Committee weighed concerns about controversial license reading technology.

oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/11/17/l...

Racists are now openly targeting Indian Americans | CNN How bad is it? Even Indian Americans like Kash Patel and Nikki Haley in the MAGA coalition are being targeted.

“The most consistent anti-Indian bigotry online focuses on the H-1B visa program, of which Indian nationals are the biggest beneficiaries”

www.cnn.com/2025/11/16/u...

Federal defense contractor backs out of potential Oregon Coast ICE facility • Oregon Capital Chronicle The Texas-based Team Housing Solutions had asked the city about leasing land at the airport last week in support of “federal operations.”

oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/11/12/d...

yup! it's just one piece of the puzzle.

At a special city council meeting tonight, Newport City Manager Nina Vetter confirmed that the contractor Team Housing Solutions has withdrawn its letter of intent to lease the property at the city's municipal airport. Story to come for @oregoncapitalchronicle.com, still have a 2 hour meeting to go.

The president is abusing his office and bullying hungry Americans. Putting food on the table is not a political bargaining chip. It’s our responsibility to hold him accountable. We will continue to do everything in our power to ensure that people continue to receive their SNAP benefits, and that includes the benefits that went out on Friday.

This morning, the president ordered states to not distribute full SNAP benefits for November, and demanded that states “undo” any benefits payments that have already been sent to working families for food.

Read our statement in response.

Trump administration demands states ‘undo’ full SNAP payouts as states warn of ‘catastrophic impact’ Trump administration demands states ‘undo’ full SNAP payouts as states warn of ‘catastrophic impact’

President Donald Trump’s administration is demanding states “undo” full SNAP benefits paid out under judges’ orders last week, now that the U.S. Supreme Court has stayed those rulings.

Trump Administration Demands States ‘Undo’ Work to Send Full Food Stamps

NEW: The Trump admin told states it must immediately "undo" the work to provide full food stamp benefits, or face penalties. The feds sent this in a late-night memo, only adding to the chaos and confusion around SNAP. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/09/b...

Oregon SNAP benefits to be fully funded for November, Gov. Kotek says • Oregon Capital Chronicle The governor's state of emergency over hunger in the state will remain until "the uncertainty from the federal government is resolved."

oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/11/07/o...

DHS speeds rule that could permit more fines and arrests of protesters at federal buildings • Oregon Capital Chronicle The rule, originally proposed in the final Biden administration, was set to take effect at the start of 2026 but has been activated now.

Among new fines: $500 for “obstructing the usual use, enjoyment or access to federal property” and $200 for wearing a mask, hood, disguise or device (read inflatable costume) "while violating any federal, state or local law, ordinance or regulation.” oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/11/06/r...

Homeland Security fast-tracks expanded arrest powers off federal property Federal Protective Service officers are directed to arrest people who commit crime while wearing masks.

Federal Protective Service officers are directed to arrest people who commit crime while wearing masks.

Oregon Democrats push for charging federal agents with state law. Police say not so fast • Oregon Capital Chronicle Local law enforcement are facing heightened pressure from Oregon’s top Congressional lawmakers to begin the process of investigating.

The scenes from protest activity outside a U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement facilities in south Portland have led Portland’s city attorney and the city’s police bureau to allege federal agents used excessive force.  buff.ly/JTRbOzl

Oregon Attorney General Rayfield also recently established a federal "oversight and accountability reporting form." A formal investigation may not come from a report, site notes, but "it supports ongoing efforts to promote federal oversight and accountability."

app.smartsheetgov.com/b/form/2e2d2...

If you have concerns or information about possible actions that may violate individual rights or raise legal or constitutional concerns, we encourage you to share them. Your report helps us promote transparency, accountability, and protect the rights of Oregonians.

We will use your reports to document concerns, identify patterns, and better understand broader issues over time. While submitting a report may not result in a formal investigation or legal action, it supports ongoing efforts to promote federal oversight and accountability.

The Oregon DOJ is committed to protecting the Constitution and upholding the rule of law – that’s why we’re launching a Federal Oversight and Accountability Reporting Form.

Find it here: app.smartsheetgov.com/b/form/2e2d2...

Oregon Democrats push for charging federal agents with state law. Police say not so fast • Oregon Capital Chronicle Local law enforcement are facing heightened pressure from Oregon’s top Congressional lawmakers to begin the process of investigating.

For anyone wondering why it's so hard for the state to charge federal officers for violating Oregon laws meant to punish excessive use of force, @shaanthx.bsky.social has your answer: oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/11/05/o...

Oregon Democrats push for charging federal agents with state law. Police say not so fast • Oregon Capital Chronicle Local law enforcement are facing heightened pressure from Oregon’s top Congressional lawmakers to begin the process of investigating.

Oregon Democrats push for charging federal agents with state law. Police say not so fast

oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/11/05/o...

Donate to Help Laid-Off Teen Vogue Staffers Recover, organized by Lexi McMenamin More than half the team at Teen Vogue was laid off this week by our parent co… Lexi McMenamin needs your support for Help Laid-Off Teen Vogue Staffers Recover

thank you for the outpouring of support!

those of us laid off from Teen Vogue yesterday are now sharing our GoFundMe to help us cover our emergency expenses now that we've lost our incomes, as we get back on our feet.

BREAKING NEWS: National Guard deployment remains paused until Friday; judge says deployment is likely unlawful.

A federal judge just issued a preliminary injunction until 5pm Friday 11/7, in order to take additional time to weigh the evidence presented at trial this week. The judge indicated in the order, based on her initial review of the evidence, that deployment of National Guard troops in Portland is likely unlawful. This means that the National Guard still cannot be deployed to Oregon.

“Today’s ruling is a step toward truth and accountability. From the beginning, this case has been about making sure the facts—not the President’s political whims—guide how the law is applied. We’re grateful the court is taking the time to get it right, and we’ll keep doing everything we can to protect Oregon’s ability to govern itself and keep our communities safe.”

For now, the National Guard still cannot be deployed to Oregon. We anticipate a final ruling from the judge by Friday. We’ll continue to share updates as we have them.

LAWSUIT UPDATE RE: NATIONAL GUARD IN PORTLAND: National Guard deployment remains paused until Friday; judge says deployment is likely unlawful.

Today's ruling is a step toward truth and accountability. Read more about what happened and what's next.

Oregon sees largest immigration raid under Trump 2.0 in Woodburn, group says • Oregon Capital Chronicle Federal immigration agents detained at least 30 people headed to work Thursday morning in Woodburn, farmworker advocates say.

Federal immigration agents detained at least 30 people headed to work Thursday morning in Woodburn — marking the largest immigration raid in Oregon since President Donald Trump took office in January, advocates say.  buff.ly/f8UpCay by @miamaldonado.bsky.social

Facing discrimination concerns, Oregon quietly halts noncitizen voters investigation  • Oregon Capital Chronicle Neither the Oregon Department of Justice nor the Secretary of State have publicly announced the results of the inquiries.

Oregon isn't pursuing criminal charges against three people suspected of voting after the state registered them to vote in error. buff.ly/TMlal5i by @shaanthx.bsky.social