SALEM, Ore. — Eight months into his first term as Oregon’s attorney general, Dan Rayfield has already filed 37 lawsuits against the Trump administration — a number he admits would have shocked him just two years ago.
“If you had told me that an attorney general had filed 37 lawsuits against the federal government, I would have thought that person was bonkers,” Rayfield said Friday during a speech at the Salem City Club. “But nearly all of these cases have brought some relief, whether through injunctions or rulings that paused harmful federal actions.”
Taking on the Federal Government
Rayfield outlined a range of federal challenges, from attempts to block funding to efforts aimed at stripping citizenship from U.S.-born individuals. Oregon, he said, has led the fight to protect both state rights and individual liberties.
“I think we’re at a point where we are stretching the bounds of our democracy,” Rayfield told attendees. “Currently, I don’t believe that we have broken at all, and I do believe that there is hope as we move forward.”
Still, he acknowledged that President Donald Trump’s repeated threats against Congress and the courts keep him “up at night.”
Sanctuary Law and Marion County
Rayfield also used the forum to criticize Marion County’s recent lawsuit challenging Oregon’s nearly 40-year-old sanctuary law, which bars state and local governments from helping enforce federal immigration rules without a court order.
“Our sanctuary status law was passed in 1987,” Rayfield said. “That’s a long time they could have come to the Department of Justice for clarification if they were confused. Maybe they’ve been busy.”
The case stems from subpoenas issued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in August demanding parolee information. Because administrative subpoenas are not signed by judges, Rayfield argued the solution was simple: “Get a judge to sign off on a lawful warrant before Marion County hands over information.”
Gerrymandering and Political Maps
Shifting to the national stage, Rayfield criticized both Republican and Democratic efforts to redraw congressional maps for partisan advantage.
“I think we’re in an incredibly dark period in our history where politicians feel comfortable talking to all of us about how we need to manipulate our maps to gain an unfair political advantage,” he said.
Oregon, where Democrats currently hold five of six congressional seats, has largely stayed out of the current redistricting fights dominating other states.
Personal Background Shapes Perspective
As he often does in public remarks, Rayfield reflected on his unusual upbringing. His father, a Republican Air Force colonel, believed nuclear weapons were vital to global safety, while his mother, a Green Party activist, brought young Rayfield to anti-nuclear protests and civil disobedience actions.
That contrast, he said, taught him the value of respecting opposing views.
“Oftentimes — right now more so than ever — we have politicians, and I’ve done it too, where we’ve said things or done things that divide folks,” he said. “We have to ask, ‘What is our collective responsibility? How do we act as leaders?’ Because I know if I act like a jerk, my son’s going to act like a jerk.”
Consumer Protection: A Priority Beyond Lawsuits
While federal lawsuits dominate headlines, Rayfield emphasized another key priority: expanding consumer protection. With 18 years of private practice experience representing Oregonians against scams and unfair business practices, Rayfield said the issue is personal to him.
Since taking office in December, he has doubled the consumer protection unit from 10 to 20 attorneys, with a greater focus on prevention.
“What we need to do is have a robust education program on the front end,” he explained. “By the time lawsuits are filed or charges are brought, people have already been hurt. We need more outreach, more partnerships, and a proactive approach — across party lines.”
Rayfield suggested that Republican and Democratic attorneys general nationwide could cooperate on public education campaigns to reduce consumer fraud before it happens.
Looking Ahead
Rayfield framed his approach as both defensive — pushing back on what he views as federal overreach — and forward-looking, especially when it comes to consumer protection and civic engagement.
Oregon, he told the Salem City Club audience, has long led the way in defending rights and setting national standards. His goal as attorney general, he said, is to continue that tradition while fostering a political culture rooted in respect rather than division.
“We may be stretching the bounds of democracy right now,” Rayfield said, “but we haven’t broken. And if we do this right, we won’t.”
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