Anti-ICE Leftists Thought They Were Above The Law: This Prosecutor Is Proving Otherwise
A major shift is underway in Portland, Oregon, where a newly elected county prosecutor is restoring law-and-order principles after years of controversial leniency toward disruptive protests.
According to court and police records reviewed by the Daily Caller News Foundation, Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez has pursued charges in the majority of protest-related arrests near the city’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility over the past six months—signaling a decisive break from past policy.
Vasquez’s approach stands in stark contrast to that of his predecessor, Mike Schmidt, a Soros-backed progressive prosecutor who drew national scrutiny in 2020 for declining to prosecute a wide range of protest-related offenses during the height of the Black Lives Matter unrest.
Now, under the leadership of Donald J. Trump in his second term, Portland’s handling of protests—particularly those targeting federal immigration enforcement—has once again come into focus.
A Return to Accountability
Data shows that Vasquez’s office has filed charges in at least 33 of 53 protest-related arrests between September and February, accounting for roughly 63% of cases. Charges include assault, disorderly conduct, criminal mischief, reckless endangerment, and interfering with law enforcement.
So far, the results are tangible: 11 convictions and one “no contest” plea have already been secured. While some cases were dismissed or resolved through restitution, the overall trend reflects a justice system re-engaging with its core responsibility—enforcing the law.
Local law enforcement says the difference is already visible on the ground.
“I had one specific case the other night and they issued immediately,” a Portland police officer told the DCNF. “Vasquez isn’t screwing around.”
The same officer later noted that “the amount of shenanigans has slowed to nearly a stop” around the ICE facility, where nightly protests once drew larger, more aggressive crowds.
Protests Shrink as Enforcement Ramps Up
Where dozens of demonstrators once gathered regularly, officers now report fewer than a dozen individuals showing up on most nights. The drop-off suggests that consistent prosecution may be deterring repeat offenders—many of whom had previously cycled through the system without meaningful consequences.
Under Schmidt’s 2020 policy, prosecutors routinely declined charges for crimes such as rioting, trespassing, and disorderly conduct, unless cases involved clear violence, theft, or property destruction. Critics argued that approach emboldened chaos and undermined public safety.
Meanwhile, Portland’s Democrat leadership has continued to signal ideological alignment with anti-ICE activism. The city council has publicly praised protesters opposing President Trump’s immigration agenda, while Mayor Keith Wilson has implemented policies directing city workers to shield migrants from federal authorities.
Federal Pressure and Local Resistance
The unrest near the ICE facility intensified after President Trump expanded deportation efforts, particularly targeting sanctuary jurisdictions like Portland. The administration’s push for stricter immigration enforcement has clashed directly with local officials who oppose federal intervention.
Yet even amid political tensions, Vasquez insists his office is focused on enforcing the law—not playing politics.
“I have said since day one that the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office supports people’s right to protest,” Vasquez told the DCNF.
“It is a fundamental right and one that is frequently embraced here in Portland, Oregon. What we do not support or tolerate is people committing crimes against each other or property when they gather to protest.”
He reinforced that stance further, stating: “It does not matter to me if someone is part of the left, right or center. If they break the law during a protest they will be prosecuted.”
A Mandate for Change
Vasquez’s election victory in 2024 came after a campaign centered on restoring public safety and rejecting the soft-on-crime policies that defined his predecessor’s tenure. With no general election challenger, his win reflected broad dissatisfaction with the status quo.
Even so, challenges remain. Some repeat offenders continue to cycle through the system, and not every arrest results in conviction due to evidentiary standards.
Still, the message from the district attorney’s office is unmistakable: Portland is no longer a safe haven for lawlessness disguised as protest.