
Govt. & Politics Reporter @ORCapChronicle • forever a @ucla bruin • words in @latimes @newrepublic @thenation @theintercept etc.
Joined October 2021
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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!
Shaanth Nanguneri is on bsky @shaanthx retweeted
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. sfchronicle.com/politics/art…
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.
oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2…
Shaanth Nanguneri is on bsky @shaanthx retweeted
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. storage.courtlistener.com/re…
Shaanth Nanguneri is on bsky @shaanthx retweeted
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?
Replying to @David_J_Bier
One must carry immigration documents as per the INA. A Real ID is not an immigration document.
Readers added context they thought people might want to know
While true for non-citizens… this statement is missing the context that the person in question was a US citizen. There is no requirement for US citizens to carry documentation of any kind.
cbsnews.com/amp/minnesota/…
kqed.org/news/12065885/…
Shaanth Nanguneri is on bsky @shaanthx retweeted
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. calmatters.org/politics/2025…
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s former chief of staff, Dana Williamson, and three co-conspirators were indicted Wednesday on 23 counts of bank and wire fraud, allegedly committed from 2022 to 2024, during her time working for the governor. bit.ly/4oEzpI0
📸 Lea Suzuki, Getty

ALT Dana Williamson, then-cabinet secretary in Gov. Jerry Brown's administration. Williamson would eventually become Gov. Newsom's chief of staff, before departing in December of 2024. Photo By Lea Suzuki, The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images. Hed: Gavin Newsom’s former chief of staff arrested on allegations of bank and wire fraud
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.
Replying to @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.
oaklandside.org/2025/10/29/f…
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: youtube.com/watch?v=hBxvx_l6…
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!
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. oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2…
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" app.smartsheetgov.com/b/form…
Shaanth Nanguneri is on bsky @shaanthx retweeted
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. oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2…
Shaanth Nanguneri is on bsky @shaanthx retweeted
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.
Shaanth Nanguneri is on bsky @shaanthx retweeted
We’ve updated our story with an additional comment provided by the United States Justice Department.
EXCLUSIVE: One Saturday afternoon in October, my phone lit up with a notification.
I glanced down at the message.
“Anna, Lindsey Halligan here,” it began.
So began my text exchange with the top prosecutor for the Eastern District of Virginia.
lawfaremedia.org/article/ann…
ICE promised doxing cases against Portland ‘anarchists.’ Months later, no charges filed
oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2…
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.
Shaanth Nanguneri is on bsky @shaanthx retweeted
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.”
Shaanth Nanguneri is on bsky @shaanthx retweeted
🚨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: hinduamerican.org/sb509-veto…
Shaanth Nanguneri is on bsky @shaanthx retweeted
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.
Shaanth Nanguneri is on bsky @shaanthx retweeted
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



























