From Newsgroup: alt.law-enforcement

PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) rCo Oregon transportation officials are reviewing a decision to temporarily stop issuing new undercover license plates to
federal law enforcement agencies, a move that has prompted legal threats
from the Trump administration.

The Oregon Department of Transportation confirmed the Oregon DMV paused
issuing new undercover license plates to all federal agencies beginning
April 15.

Law enforcement agencies can ask ODOT or the DMV to give undercover
vehicles normal-looking license plates instead of plates that identify
them as government vehicles.

The rule applies to federal, state, local, tribal, parole, and probation agencies when they are conducting undercover criminal investigations.
The goal is to help undercover officers avoid being identified.

rCLOregon DMV is reviewing its policies and rules to ensure its federal undercover license plate program complies with state law,rCY ODOT said in
a statement. rCLState and local law enforcement are unaffected by this
pause. The federal agencies that participate in the program are able to continue to use their existing unexpired plates. DMV will complete its
review in the coming weeks and announce next steps at that time.rCY

Officials have not said what prompted the review.

Washington staterCOs Department of Licensing also paused issuing
undercover license plates to federal agencies, according to letters sent
by the U.S. Department of Justice.

On May 12, the DOJ sent a letter to Gov. Tina KotekrCOs office threatening legal action if Oregon does not reverse the policy.

rCLThis discriminatory policy is not only deeply dangerous as a matter of public safety, but also blatantly unlawful as a matter of constitutional law,rCY the letter states. rCLIt should be immediately withdrawn, otherwise
the United States intends to seek judicial relief.rCY

The DOJ argues OregonrCOs policy violates the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

In a response letter, ODOT said Oregon law does not require the DMV to
issue undercover plates to federal agencies. The agency did not address
the DOJrCOs constitutional claims.

The Oregon Department of Justice declined to comment.

The DOJ also sent a similar letter to Washington Attorney General Nick BrownrCOs office. Both letters gave the states until Friday, May 22, to
reverse the pause.

A spokesperson for the Washington Attorney GeneralrCOs Office referred questions to the Department of Licensing, which declined to comment.

Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield also declined to comment through
his office.

ODOT has not responded to questions about whether the pause is connected
to OregonrCOs sanctuary laws.

https://katu.com/news/local/trump-department-justice-threatens-oregon-aft er-state-freezes-undercover-plates-to-federal-officers
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