President Trump has terminated Oregon U.S. Attorney Natalie Wight, as announced by the U.S. Department of Justice on Tuesday evening.
Here is the complete news release:
United States Attorney Natalie K. Wight has completed her tenure at the United States Department of Justice.
U.S. Attorney’s Office – District of Oregon: 02/18/25 4:46 PM
The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon has announced today that Natalie K. Wight, the United States Attorney, is departing.
Ms. Wight received a notification from the White House regarding the termination of her employment. Being a Presidential appointee, the decision to remove Ms. Wight from her position lies solely with the current President. The White House expressed gratitude for her dedicated service to the United States.
In 2003, Ms. Wight, a 20-year veteran of the United States Department of Justice, joined the Attorney General’s Honors Program through direct recruitment.
Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley extended their support to Ms. Wight, leading to her nomination by President Joseph R. Biden Jr. on June 6, 2022. After a thorough confirmation process, she was officially confirmed by the U.S. Senate on September 9, 2022. You can find her biography on this page.
“I am proud of the Office’s dedication to protecting Oregon’s youth, supporting law enforcement, and maintaining strong agency partnerships,” said former U.S. Attorney Wight.
Ms. Wight dedicated her time to reaching out to schools and raising awareness about the perils of fentanyl. She emphasized the importance of safeguarding against online exploitation and commended the compassion and dedication displayed by Oregon’s student leaders. One notable event organized by the district was the Junior Justice Summit, now in its third year. During this summit, student ambassadors from various high schools collaborated closely with civic leaders, public servants, and law enforcement professionals to identify shared objectives and work towards creating a safer environment for children, ensuring that our communities continue to flourish.
“I want to thank our Oregon communities and our exceptional public servants for helping to keep Oregon a safe and beautiful place to live,” said former U.S. Attorney Wight. “I am excited to watch the office’s continued success working with federal, state, county, local, and tribal agencies serving the people of Oregon. I am immensely proud to have worked side by side with such dedicated Oregonians.”
As the Ninth Circuit representative, Ms. Wight, who served as United States Attorney, was chosen to be a part of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC). The AGAC plays a crucial role in advising the Attorney General and senior Department of Justice officials on important legal matters that affect the districts within each circuit. During her time on the AGAC, Ms. Wight acted as a liaison for the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Civil Division. Additionally, she contributed to various national subcommittees focused on Controlled Substances, Violent Crime, Child Exploitation, and Native American Issues.
The District of Oregon comprises thirty-six counties and nine tribal reservations. Within this jurisdiction, the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in Portland, Eugene, and Medford are staffed with dedicated career attorneys and professionals. They are entrusted with the important tasks of handling criminal prosecutions, recovering debts owed to the federal government, and overseeing civil litigation involving the United States.