Bend, Ore. — Natalie K. Wight, the United States Attorney for the District of Oregon, has been informed of her departure from office in a communication from the White House. As a presidential appointee, Wight’s termination follows the discretion of the sitting president, marking the end of her tenure in the role. The White House expressed gratitude for her service to the United States.
Wight, a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Department of Justice, was appointed to the position with the support of Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley. She was nominated by President Joseph R. Biden Jr. on June 6, 2022, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on September 9, 2022. A respected member of the Department of Justice, Wight first joined the department in 2003 through the prestigious Attorney General’s Honors Program.
During her time as U.S. Attorney, Wight focused on several initiatives aimed at improving the safety and well-being of Oregon’s residents, particularly its youth. Her office worked closely with schools across the state to educate students on the dangers of fentanyl, online exploitation, and the importance of community responsibility. One of the standout initiatives under her leadership was the third annual Junior Justice Summit, which brought together local high school students, civic leaders, law enforcement, and public servants to identify strategies to protect youth and ensure community safety.
“I am proud of the Office’s dedication to protecting Oregon’s youth, supporting law enforcement, and maintaining strong agency partnerships,” Wight said in a statement following her departure. “I am excited to watch the office’s continued success working with federal, state, county, local, and tribal agencies serving the people of Oregon.”
In addition to her outreach work, Wight played a significant role at the national level. She was appointed to the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC) as the Ninth Circuit representative, where she advised on legal issues affecting the districts in her circuit. Wight’s work on the committee included liaising for the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Civil Division and serving on several national subcommittees focused on critical issues such as controlled substances, violent crime, child exploitation, and Native American affairs.
As Wight steps down, the First Assistant U.S. Attorney for Oregon, William Narus, will assume the role of Acting U.S. Attorney, as per the Vacancies Reform Act. Narus, who has served as Wight’s deputy, will oversee the district’s operations in the interim.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon, with offices in Portland, Eugene, and Medford, is responsible for criminal prosecutions, civil litigation, and the collection of debts owed to the federal government across the state’s 36 counties and nine tribal reservations.
Wight’s departure marks the end of a notable chapter in Oregon’s legal landscape, but her legacy of community outreach and commitment to public safety will remain a defining aspect of her tenure.
