Portland, Ore. – Scott Bradford, the newly appointed U.S. attorney for the District of Oregon, told the Capital Chronicle that his office is actively aligning its priorities with the Trump administration’s public‑safety agenda. Bradford highlighted recent changes to how immigration cases are publicized, emphasizing the city of residence rather than national origin to draw attention to Oregon’s sanctuary policies.
Policy shift on immigration case notices
Press releases now read, for example, “Illegal immigrant from Mexico sentenced for immigration violation” and “Honduran national unlawfully residing in the United States sentenced to 21 years for fentanyl distribution resulting in death.” By foregrounding the illegal‑immigrant status, Bradford says the office is warning Oregon officials that sanctuary laws can shield individuals who commit serious crimes.
Collaboration with state officials
Bradford stressed his close working relationship with Attorney General Dan Rayfield, Portland Police Chief Bob Day, and district attorneys across the state. Portraits of President Trump and Vice President JD Vance hang in his office, underscoring the administration’s support for local law‑enforcement efforts.
Balancing evidence and rhetoric
When asked whether the administration has data linking illegal immigrants to higher crime rates, Bradford replied, “I’m not trying to say a particular segment of society is more likely to commit a crime or is more likely to reoffend. What I’m saying is we have specific examples in Oregon where the person should have been deported, and they weren’t, and they victimized another Oregonian, a family, a woman with minor children.” He added that many cases are declined because of constitutional concerns, a point often missed by the public.
Prosecutorial discretion in protest cases
The office has charged more than three dozen protesters outside the Portland ICE facility, yet it also reduced a felony assault charge against a 39‑year‑old clarinet player to a misdemeanor to secure a plea deal. Bradford defended the decision, stating, “If you look at the cases we’ve done since the election, they’re the cases we’ve traditionally done. Our priorities under this administration are the priorities that we’ve always had.”
Challenges with doxing and federal‑agent investigations
Bradford acknowledged the difficulty of prosecuting doxing cases, noting the line between protected speech and criminal conduct can be thin. He also described cooperation with state officials after the January Border Patrol shooting in Portland, emphasizing transparency and coordination while declining to reveal specific evidence.
Staff turnover and morale
Federal data shows more than 40 Justice Department staff in Oregon have left since 2025, part of a broader nationwide exodus. Bradford argued that departures do not reflect a lack of commitment to the rule of law, but rather the natural ebb of a career‑focused workforce.
Looking ahead
Bradford said his office will continue to focus on child protection, drug trafficking, fraud, and national‑security cases, while maintaining an “open line” with state and local partners. He concluded, “We work very well together on shared priorities, and then there are just different areas where we’re going to disagree.”
Original reporting: Homepage – Lookout Eugene-Springfield — read the source article.
