In a startling revelation from Oregon’s political landscape amid renewed Trump administration focus on the city, it has emerged that a senior aide to Gov. Tina Kotek was arrested during a violent 2020 Antifa protest in Portland, as the Washington Examiner reports.

This story centers on Kristina Narayan, Kotek’s former legislative director and current senior adviser, who was arrested during a chaotic antifa riot on Sept. 5, 2020, defended by Kotek, and later promoted despite the incident, while Kotek pushed for legal reforms related to such offenses.

The incident unfolded on the night in question, outside the East Portland Community Policing Center. Narayan, then serving as legislative director for Kotek -- who was Oregon House Speaker at the time -- was among nearly 60 individuals arrested during a protest that turned violent. Rioters targeted police, attempting to breach a blockade for four hours.

Violent clashes mark protest

During the protest, the crowd lit fires in the streets using dumpsters, garbage cans, and wooden pallets. Projectiles, including firebombs and mortars, were hurled at officers, escalating the confrontation. A Molotov cocktail even set a nearby community member on fire in a residential area.

Law enforcement faced significant danger that night, with a sergeant burned by a commercial-grade firework. Several officers and state troopers sustained head injuries from rocks thrown by the crowd. An Oregon State Police vehicle also suffered extensive damage, including shattered windshields.

Arrests that evening included charges ranging from first-degree arson to assaulting public safety officers. Some individuals were found carrying weapons like daggers and knives. Narayan herself was charged with interfering with a peace officer and booked into Multnomah County Detention Center before being released without bail.

Charges dropped amid broader dismissals

Shortly after her arrest, Narayan’s charges were dismissed. This action aligned with a broader pattern of riot-related case dismissals by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s office. The decision sparked discussions about accountability during such events.

Despite the arrest, Kotek publicly supported Narayan, framing her actions as an exercise of free expression. In a statement to The Hill, Kotek said, “Every person -- including members of my staff -- has the right to stand up for what they believe and engage in nonviolent resistance.”

She continued, “Kristina’s experience is similar to what other Portlanders have experienced over the last few months.” Kotek’s defense highlighted her broader stance on protest rights. Narayan remained a key policy adviser to Kotek, including on public safety matters, through Kotek’s 2022 gubernatorial campaign.

Kotek's push for policing reform

In 2021, while still House Speaker, Kotek introduced House Bill 3164 to reform how interference with law enforcement is prosecuted. The bill aimed to prevent charges for merely passively resisting police orders. Kotek argued before the House Subcommittee on Equitable Policing that noncompliance alone shouldn’t be criminal.

She stated, “Simply frustrating an officer by failing to adhere to or comply with their direction is not criminal behavior.” Kotek also pushed to clarify that interference must involve knowingly obstructing officers. The bill passed with her signature, amending the statute accordingly.

Kotek’s criticism of police actions during protests predates Narayan’s arrest. In early August 2020, she wrote a letter to the Portland Police Bureau questioning the use of tear gas on rioters targeting an empty headquarters building. She asked, “What needed to be protected last night? An empty office building?”

Governor’s stance on federal intervention takes center stage

After becoming governor in 2023, Kotek hired Narayan as an adviser and promoted her to senior adviser within a year. This move raised eyebrows, given the 2020 incident. Kotek’s support for Narayan remained steadfast amid her evolving role.

Currently, Kotek opposes President Donald Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to Portland to protect an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility from ongoing antifa attacks. On X, she declared, “I have been abundantly clear that Portland and the State of Oregon believe in the rule of law and can manage our own local public safety needs.”

She added, “There is no insurrection.” Kotek recently joined a protest, asserting the demonstrations have been peaceful. She emphasized, “We don’t need military intervention here.”