Media organizations seek to obtain records by filing a motion to intervene ‘Oregon v. Trump’
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 6, 2026
Media Contacts:
Nicole Funaro, communications@publicjustice.net
PORTLAND, OR — Several media organizations, represented by nonprofit legal advocacy organizations Public Justice and Public Accountability, have filed a motion to intervene to protect the public’s right of access to records in Oregon v. Trump, a lawsuit stemming from the deployment of the National Guard in Oregon. The news outlets participating in this effort include Oregon Capital Chronicle, The Oregonian, and Oregon Public Broadcasting.
The group of media organizations will seek to obtain access to dozens of trial exhibits that are currently sealed by court order, and it will also ask the court to disclose the identities of two Federal Protective Services officers who were allowed to testify anonymously.
For the past year, the Trump administration has targeted sanctuary cities they perceive to be uncooperative with its immigration objectives. Portland, Ore. is one of those cities, and in late September 2025, President Trump directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth via social media to call into federal service 200 members of the Oregon National Guard to protect ICE and other government personnel. The State of Oregon and the city of Portland sued the federal government, arguing that the federalization and deployment of the Oregon National Guard violated federal law and the US Constitution.
“Oregonians deserve to know what prompted and drove the federal government’s attempt to place troops in their streets,” said Public Accountability’s executive director, Athul K. Acharya. “The courts belong to the public, and the records of this case should too. Accountability begins with access.”
Senior attorney for Public Justice’s Access to Justice Project Shelby Leighton said, “The law is clear. There are very few circumstances under which access to court records can be restricted, and Defendants have not demonstrated that secrecy is warranted here. Such secrecy regarding the federal government’s deployment of militarized forces should concern everyone. Democracy is threatened when a government operates in darkness and prevents the press from informing the public.”
The motion to unseal can be found here.
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Public Justice takes on the most significant systemic threats to justice of our time—abusive corporate power and predatory practices, the assault on civil rights and liberties, and the destruction of the earth’s sustainability. We link high-impact litigation with strategic communications and the strength of our partnerships to combat these abusive and discriminatory systems and achieve social and economic justice. For more information, visit www.publicjustice.net.
Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) is an independent, nonprofit media organization serving communities across Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. Powered by the generous support of members, OPB connects people through trusted journalism that is freely accessible to everyone. Guided by public service, we deliver in-depth, fact-driven coverage of politics, science and the environment, arts and culture, education and more. OPB shares stories and programs wherever people seek them: on opb.org, OPB radio and TV, the OPB app, social media, streaming video, podcasts, or our daily “First Look” and other email newsletters. Visit opb.org to learn more.
Public Accountability is a nonprofit law firm dedicated to dismantling legal doctrines that shield government officials from accountability. Through strategic appellate litigation, we work to make civil rights enforceable and restore the principle that no one is above the law. For more information, visit https://pubaccountability.org.
Oregon Capital Chronicle is a nonprofit news organization focused on deep, useful reporting about Oregon government, politics and policy. It’s an affiliate of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization, but all coverage decisions are made by Oregonians for Oregonians. The Capital Chronicle is funded by donors and grants and makes all its original reporting free for anyone to read or republish. Learn more at oregoncapitalchronicle.com.