February 19, 2205 3:50 a.m.

On Tuesday, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon announced the departure of United States Attorney Natalie Wight.

A release said Ms. Wight was informed of her termination in a communication from the White House. As a Presidential appointee, Wight is subject to removal from office at the discretion of the sitting president. The White House thanked her for her service to the United States.

A twenty-year veteran of the department, Wight was recruited directly into the Attorney General’s Honors Program in 2003.

With the support of Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, Wight was nominated by President Joe Biden in June of 2022, and was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in September of that year.

Wight said, “I am proud of the Office’s dedication to protecting Oregon’s youth, supporting law enforcement and maintaining strong agency partnerships”. During her tenure, Wight focused on outreach to schools by educating students on the dangers of fentanyl, warning of online exploitation, and applauding the care and compassion of Oregon’s student leaders.

Wight’s first assistant, William Narus, will serve as acting U.S. attorney until the new administration nominates Wight’s replacement.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Oregon has locations in Portland, Eugene and Medford.