An Oregon politician recently made headlines after being captured on video giving an explicit gesture to a colleague during a live-streamed meeting. Washington County Chair Kathryn Harrington was seen flipping off Commissioner Nafisa Fai following a brief, tense interaction where Fai allegedly obstructed Harrington’s view, according to reports.
The situation escalated when Harrington interrupted the meeting to ask Fai to “stop getting in the way of my sight line” regarding Commissioner Jason Snider. Livestream footage shows Fai adjusting her chair, while Harrington responded by pushing her chair back, slamming her hands on the table, and seemingly extending her middle finger, all while other attendees were looking elsewhere.
After this incident, Snider attempted to address a housing question from Harrington, but Fai interjected, asking if anyone had noticed Harrington’s gesture. “Could you pause for a second? Did you see the finger?” Fai questioned, looking for acknowledgment. However, the other board members remained silent, and she opted to allow the meeting to continue. Snider then jokingly suggested he could help alleviate the situation by moving.
Commissioner Pam Treece, who was present at the meeting, called for Harrington to apologize to both Fai and the residents of the county for her actions. She expressed her “shock and disappointment” after reviewing the live footage. Treece emphasized the importance of maintaining higher standards for speech and behavior among leaders and stated that accountability is crucial. She also mentioned plans to return a campaign contribution Harrington made and remove her endorsement from the campaign website. “We may have differences in opinion as Commissioner Fai and I do, but respect should always be a priority,” Treece added.
Moreover, Treece pointed out a worrying trend of rising intolerance towards differing views within the county, comparing it to what is happening in Portland and across the nation, calling it a concern for everyone.
Later that afternoon, Harrington publicly apologized, labeling her actions as “unprofessional.” She offered her sincere apologies to Fai, the other commissioners, the Washington County workforce, and the community, acknowledging that her reaction was entirely inappropriate.
This incident isn’t Harrington’s first brush with controversy. There were previous allegations of abusive behavior towards former employees, even following a 2022 investigation into her conduct. Reportedly, she yelled at an employee in March, causing distress and tears, prompting another public apology where she mentioned stepping back from some responsibilities in her role.
