Oregon’s top Democrats are escalating their standoff with President Donald Trump’s administration, vowing to arrest federal immigration officers for conducting lawful deportation operations inside the state.
Gov. Tina Kotek and Attorney General Dan Rayfield issued the threat after weeks of unrest in Portland and increased federal activity aimed at removing criminal illegal aliens.
In a video 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,” Kotek said, before framing ICE operations as a threat to “immigrant and refugee communities.”
“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 continued.
Kotek then suggested the state is preparing to criminally charge federal personnel.
“No government agency is above the law,” she declared.
“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.
“I will not tolerate reckless or unconstitutional behavior in our state.”
Her comments follow a November 25 letter from Rayfield and three county district attorneys, Multnomah County’s Nathan Vasquez, Washington County’s Kevin Barton, and Clackamas County’s John Wentworth.
The letter was sent to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.
The letter served as “formal notice” that Oregon is monitoring federal activity and may pursue prosecutions involving “excessive force during arrests” and “protest policing.”
Rayfield claimed that Oregon residents filed complaints about “excessive force” and demanded DHS immediately halt “unlawful and reckless actions,” improve training, coordinate with local agencies, investigate complaints, and cooperate 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,” the letter stated.
DHS Pushes Back: Oregon Is Encouraging Violence
Federal officials sharply rejected the accusations.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said Oregon’s Democrat leadership has openly enabled violent activism, noting a stunning “1,150 percent increase in assaults on ICE officers.”
Those assaults include attacks with Molotov cocktails and firearms.
The U.S. Department of Justice has already warned that any attempt to arrest federal agents is illegal under the Supremacy Clause, which clearly states that federal law supersedes conflicting state or local laws.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Oregon has charged more than 40 individuals with federal crimes near the ICE facility since June 2025, including multiple cases of arson and assault.
A Constitutional Clash Looms
Should Oregon officials attempt to follow through on their threat, experts say it would almost certainly trigger an immediate court showdown and potentially a full-blown constitutional crisis.
With the Trump administration intensifying deportation efforts following a surge of criminal activity tied to illegal immigration, the clash between federal authority and Oregon’s far-left political leadership is rapidly becoming one of the most dramatic state-versus-federal confrontations in recent memory.
READ MORE – Idaho Bar Offers Free Beer to Anyone Who Helps ICE Track Down & Deport Illegal Aliens
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