Oregon’s U.S. Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with U.S. Reps. Suzanne Bonamici, Janelle Bynum, Maxine Dexter and Andrea Salinas, have jointly demanded that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem withdraw federal agents from Portland and the broader state. The call comes in the wake of a weekend protest on January 31, 2026—dubbed an “ICE Out” demonstration—during which federal agents deployed tear gas, pepper balls and rubber bullets against a crowd that included children, elderly residents and journalists. The lawmakers described the deployment as unjustified and harmful to public safety.

In their letter, the lawmakers condemned the federal response as escalating the very violence it purported to prevent, demanding an immediate halt to the use of excessive force and removal of agents from Oregon. They emphasized constitutional concerns and their oath to uphold civil liberties in communities throughout the Willamette Valley. The demand underscores deepening tension between Oregon’s federal delegation and the Department of Homeland Security over law enforcement tactics. This letter follows growing scrutiny of federal force after state and local officials reported injuries and civilian distress during otherwise peaceful First Amendment activity.

The legal context of the situation intensified on February 3, when U.S. District Judge Michael H. Simon issued a 14‑day temporary restraining order against the use of tear gas, kinetic projectiles, pepper spray and similar “less‑lethal” munitions by federal agents at the Portland ICE facility—unless demonstrators pose an imminent threat of physical harm. The order also prohibits targeting sensitive areas of the body unless deadly force is legally justified. The court cited the fundamental importance of First Amendment protections and warned that unchecked federal violence risks undermining democratic norms.

The restraining order, prompted by a class‑action suit filed by protesters and journalists, includes plaintiffs such as a Vietnam‑era veteran injured with a walker and freelance journalists marked “Press” who were struck by pepper balls. Judge Simon emphasized that peaceful protest and reporting must be safeguarded, even when conducted near federal property.

Why this matters for Oregon
Local officials and residents view this confrontation as a serious affront to civil liberties and community safety—particularly in a city that has long navigated tensions between local and federal policing. Portland’s elected officials, including the mayor, immediately denounced the federal response as unconstitutional. Ongoing legal and political developments now raise urgent questions about the use of force, oversight of federal agents, and the boundaries of protest rights in public spaces.