DOJ Launches Full Probe Into Arrest Of Conservative Journalist Nick Sortor In Portland
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched a full investigation into the arrest of conservative journalist and influencer Nick Sortor in Portland, Oregon, on Thursday, following sharp condemnation from the White House and prominent Republican figures.
Sortor, 27, was arrested outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility where he had been filming ongoing anti-ICE protests and clashes. The Portland Police Bureau confirmed that Sortor was arrested on suspicion of second-degree disorderly conduct along with two other individuals.
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White House Weighs In
The incident quickly escalated into a national political flashpoint on Friday, as White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the media, calling the arrest an “extremely troubling incident.” Leavitt claimed Sortor was “ambushed by Antifa,” and accused the local police of a grave error.
“Instead of arresting these violent mob members … who are ravaging this community, the police arrested a journalist who was there to document the chaos,” Leavitt stated.
She went on to characterize the incident as “part of a troubling trend in Portland, where left-wing mobs believe they get to decide who can visit and live in their city.”
Trump Threatens to Cut Aid
Leavitt also revealed that she had spoken directly with President Donald Trump, who she claimed directed his team to “begin reviewing aid that can potentially be cut in Portland.”
“We will not fund states that allow anarchy,” Leavitt warned, underscoring the administration’s hardline stance on the protests and the city’s handling of the situation.
Sortor and Allies Speak Out
The DOJ investigation was ordered by Attorney General Pam Bondi, who has labeled the event a “wrongful arrest.”
Sortor, who shares videos and commentary online, took to social media platform X shortly after his release, posting an aggressive message to the Portland Police.
“Hey (Portland Police): you made a big freaking mistake,” he wrote. “You PROVED what we’ve all been saying for years: you’re CORRUPT and CONTROLLED by violent Antifa thugs who terrorize the streets.”
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He warned that the arrest would not silence him, and in a subsequent post, alluded to the possibility of a lawsuit against the department.
The arrest drew a swift reaction from Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who also weighed in on X, calling for police to “arrest criminals, not journalists” and provocatively adding, “Maybe we just need to shut down Portland for good.”
Sortor’s arrest came as anti-ICE demonstrations continued to target the facility, which has been a hub for protests against the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
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