Oregon elections office vandalized hours before Trump inauguration

An Oregon elections office in southeast Portland was vandalized just hours before President Trump’s second inauguration. Portland police reported that two dozen windows and two doors were smashed by rocks at the Multnomah County Elections office in the early hours on Monday. The incident was discovered when an alarm alerted officers to the scene, revealing that the building had also been tagged with graffiti.

Authorities believe that 8-10 individuals were involved in the vandalism, with anti-government and anti-establishment messages spray-painted on the building. Surveillance footage and images of the suspects have been released by the Portland police, who stated that multiple suspects fled before their arrival.

An election worker at the scene mentioned that the vandals threw rocks and smashed every window on the street side of the building, although nothing appeared to be stolen. Fortunately, there was minimal damage inside the building, with shattered glass scattered on the floor and sidewalk outside.

While the motive behind the vandalism remains unclear, officials have stated that there is no indication that the incident is related to President Trump’s inauguration. No arrests have been made yet, and the case is currently under investigation. Anyone with information is urged to contact Portland police at crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov, referencing case number 25-17004.

This act of vandalism is not an isolated incident in the region. During the 2024 presidential election, a surveillance video captured an unknown suspect setting a ballot drop box on fire in Portland. This incident, along with several others in Oregon and Washington state, has raised concerns about attacks on democracy.

In response to the ballot box fires, authorities are offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect. The incidents involved improvised incendiary devices placed on the outside of the boxes, causing damage to ballots. Investigators were able to link all three fires, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.

As the investigation continues, the Multnomah County Elections office has yet to issue a response to the incident. The community remains vigilant, hoping for swift justice in holding those responsible for the vandalism accountable. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.