Shaanth Nanguneri is on bsky @shaanthx

Govt. & Politics Reporter @ORCapChronicle • forever a @ucla bruin • words in @latimes @newrepublic @thenation @theintercept etc.

[Shaanth Nanguneri is on bsky @shaanthx @shaanthx]

At the end of this month, I’ll be headed to the @ORCapChronicle to start a new job covering Gov. Tina Kotek and the Legislature. I won’t be going far from California, but if you’re in Salem or Oregon, please do feel free to reach out!

[San Francisco Chronicle @sfchronicle]

A woman who worked for nearly two years for Rep. Eric Swalwell, a leading candidate for California governor, said she had sexual encounters with him while he was her boss and alleged he twice sexually assaulted her when she was too intoxicated to consent. https://t.co/wynMTVoXgK

[Shaanth Nanguneri is on bsky @shaanthx @shaanthx]

The “reasonable” reference here dovetails with the “necessary and proper” standard for federal officer behavior receving immunity under state law via the U.S. Constitution’s supremacy clause. It doesn’t give blanket immunity, but the challenge is proving it in court.

[Shaanth Nanguneri is on bsky @shaanthx @shaanthx]

Qualified immunity applies to civil, not criminal charges. There are barriers to charging federal agents with state law, but they aren’t entirely insurmountable and without precedent.

https://t.co/D385MiX4ci

[Jonathan Alter @jonathanalter]

I’m told by another big city DA what’s next: Minneapolis police will arrest the ICE agents who fired the shots and they will be indicted. Qualified immunity only applies if conduct is “reasonable.” This wasn’t.

[Kyle Cheney @kyledcheney]

JUST IN: A federal magistrate judge has blocked the Justice Department from accessing devices seized from Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson. Also reveals there wree *three* warrants: One for her home, one for her car and one for Natanson herself. https://t.co/3W3vpeTYJQ

[Nicole Foy @nicoleMfoy]

Hi Chief Bovino @CMDROpAtLargeCA, Nicole Foy from ProPublica here. We've been trying to request an interview with you for months now about the enforcement ops you're leading + the detention of U.S. citizens.

Why does a U.S. citizen need to carry immigration docs?

[CalMatters @CalMatters]

CalMatters exclusive: Our reporter @mayacmiller has confirmed the identity of another co-conspirator, Alexis Podesta. Her attorney says she isn't charged and is cooperating with investigators. https://t.co/gDx25aUpAD

[Shaanth Nanguneri is on bsky @shaanthx @shaanthx]

Oregon Attorney General Rayfield's office just tried to cite this case in front of the 9th Circuit over a DEA agent who blew past a stop sign 18 mph and killed a Salem cyclist. The panel appeared quite skeptical about such a comparison: https://t.co/nwAVAby7IW

[Shaanth Nanguneri is on bsky @shaanthx @shaanthx]

Fair, but I'd note how Horiuchi, the case cited as a possible precedent plays out. The Idaho prosecutor was allowed by the 9th Circuit an evidentiary hearing in front of a judge on the matter of immunity for the manslaughter case; there were disputes over the factual record.

[Darwin BondGraham @DarwinBondGraha]

@NickKristof @RonWyden Related story from Oakland, California. Legal experts we talked to said the law is pretty clear that federal agents can be charged with crimes. Whether state authorities have the political will to do so is it a whole other question.

https://t.co/KXJQwrx8j4

[Shaanth Nanguneri is on bsky @shaanthx @shaanthx]

@ORCapChronicle Should also add that AG Rayfield also recently established a "federal oversight and accountability form" but noted "a report may not result in a formal investigation or legal action" https://t.co/xrIkFLoi5n

[Shaanth Nanguneri is on bsky @shaanthx @shaanthx]

Wrote about the growing push by some left-leaning legal scholars and Democrats to charge and arrest federal agents using state law for @ORCapChronicle. It's facing an uphill battle in Oregon. Take a read!

[Nicholas Kristof @NickKristof]

Oregon's attorney general and also its senior senator, @RonWyden, suggest that federal agents who commit violent assaults in Oregon should be subject to prosecution under state or local law. Some debate about the legality of this, but it would address the impunity for wanton violence by the feds. https://t.co/eIYnn0Ou0t

[Nicholas Kristof @NickKristof]

Oregon's attorney general and also its senior senator, @RonWyden, suggest that federal agents who commit violent assaults in Oregon should be subject to prosecution under state or local law. Some debate about the legality of this, but it would address the impunity for wanton violence by the feds. https://t.co/eIYnn0Ou0t

[Daniel Lurie 丹尼爾·羅偉 @DanielLurie]

Yesterday, I spoke to San Franciscans about a potential federal deployment in our city. I said then what I have said since taking office, that keeping San Franciscans safe is my top priority.

Late last night, I received a phone call from the President of the United States. I told him the same thing I told our residents: San Francisco is on the rise. Visitors are coming back, buildings are getting leased and purchased, and workers are coming back to the office.

We have work to do, and we would welcome continued partnerships with the FBI, DEA, ATF, and U.S. Attorney to get drugs and drug dealers off our streets, but having the military and militarized immigration enforcement in our city will hinder our recovery. We appreciate that the president understands that we are the global hub for technology, and when San Francisco is strong, our country is strong.

In that conversation, the president told me clearly that he was calling off any plans for a federal deployment in San Francisco. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem reaffirmed that direction in our conversation this morning.

My team will continue to monitor the situation closely, and our city remains prepared for any scenario.

I am profoundly grateful to all the San Franciscans who came together over the last several days. Our city leaders have been united behind the goal of public safety. And our values have been on full display—this is the best of our city.

[Anna Bower @AnnaBower]

We’ve updated our story with an additional comment provided by the United States Justice Department.

[Shaanth Nanguneri is on bsky @shaanthx @shaanthx]

ICE promised doxing cases against Portland ‘anarchists.’ Months later, no charges filed

https://t.co/TONIOHg6Hm

[Shaanth Nanguneri is on bsky @shaanthx @shaanthx]

Bains’ statement on veto. She was quick to dismiss questions about opposition from the caste bill that I asked in a brief interview in July 2024. (she had pushed back & said she hadn’t heard about any such opposition to the TNR bill.) Days later, critics voiced concerns.

[Gurpreet S. Sahota @GurpreetSSahota]

A message with Charhdi Kala from @DrJasmeetBains

“The Governor rejected legislation to prohibit caste discrimination. Now he has vetoed legislation to protect Californians from transnational repression. I am grateful his signature was not required to recognize the 1984 Sikh Genocide.

“The Sikh community has found its voice, and we have incredible allies like Senator Caballero and Assemblymember Soria who proudly stand with us. We finally have a seat at the table and will continue to participate freely in American Democracy. One bill cannot make or break my community. We stand against hate, racism, and fearmongering.
Waheguru Ji ka Khalsa,
Waheguru Ji ki Fateh.”

[Hindu American Foundation @HinduAmerican]

🚨BREAKING | @CAgovernor Gavin Newsom vetoes the highly controversial SB 509, the “transnational repression training” bill.

The bill, introduced by @CASenCaballero & @AsmJasmeetBains was strongly opposed by coalitions of Hindu, Indian American, Jewish & law-enforcement organizations for its vague terminology and because it defined TNR in a way that could label advocacy against the terrorism-linked Khalistan movement as acting as an “agent of a foreign government.”

In his veto statement, Governor Newsom’s statement aligns with our position that TNR is best addressed in coordination with federal agencies.

@HinduAmerican will work with law enforcement in providing input and ensuring that existing training tools do not single out and target our community.

We are thrilled that @CAgovernor’s veto allows all Californians to continue advocating fearlessly. Our full statement: https://t.co/ECMNmVlGiP

[Sikh Coalition @sikh_coalition]

The bill may not have passed, but our sangat’s strength is undeniable. You filled the Capitol, mobilized gurdwarae, and made yourselves heard.

As we look to learn about, support, and strengthen this training, it is clear that it would not have been created without your voices.

[Ajay Jain Bhutoria @ajainb]

Heartfelt thanks to Governor Gavin newsom @GavinNewsom for vetoing SB 509, preserving diaspora unity & aligning with federal frameworks. Grateful for your leadership, listening to my request to veto this Bill , and recognizing Diwali as a CA state holiday uplifting our community

[Shaanth Nanguneri is on bsky @shaanthx @shaanthx]

#SB509

[Shaanth Nanguneri is on bsky @shaanthx @shaanthx]

Gov. Gavin Newsom has vetoed the CA transnational repression bill, saying the issue "is best addressed through administrative action in coordination with federal agencies." Win for pro-India groups and Hindu right & likely to renew criticism from South Asian left/liberal groups