Portland Protest Erupts in Chaos as Conservative Journalist Nick Sortor Arrested
Portland once again found itself at the center of national attention as tensions flared outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility, leading to clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement.
But this time, the chaos took an unexpected twist: conservative journalist Nick Sortor, known for his on-the-ground coverage of left-wing protests, was arrested — sparking a wave of debate over journalistic rights, protest policing, and political bias.
The incident occurred during a protest that escalated into a series of physical confrontations near the ICE facility. The Portland Police Bureau reported multiple arrests as violence broke out, including that of Sortor, who was later charged with second-degree disorderly conduct. Footage of his arrest quickly spread across social media platforms, fueling widespread speculation about what led to his detainment.
Speaking after his release in an interview with Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin, Sortor said he was attacked by demonstrators before attempting to seek safety with nearby police officers — only to find himself placed in handcuffs.
“I was jumped by Antifa members,” Sortor said. “I got up, stumbled toward the police thinking I’d be protected, and then realized they were arresting me instead.”
He claimed that he wasn’t immediately informed of the reason for his arrest and only learned of the official charge more than an hour later.
A spokesperson for the Portland Police Bureau confirmed that officers had witnessed physical altercations and made several arrests based on behavior observed during the protest. The spokesperson emphasized that arrests were “conduct-based” and not influenced by political affiliations. Formal charges would be evaluated by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office.
Sortor defended his presence at the scene as part of his journalistic duties, claiming that demonstrators became aggressive after realizing he was filming them confronting federal agents. He also said his camera equipment was damaged during the altercation.
“Antifa doesn’t care about the First Amendment unless it benefits them,” Sortor said.
Journalist Katie Daviscourt, who was also covering the event, reported that Sortor appeared to be targeted by protesters prior to the confrontation. She described a tense and unpredictable environment as demonstrators clashed with both ICE personnel and each other.
Police reports indicate the timeline began around 8:09 p.m., when officers observed two men fighting outside the ICE facility. One individual was knocked to the ground, but no charges were filed by either party. Tensions escalated again later in the evening. At 11:16 p.m., officers moved in and arrested three individuals: Nicholas Sortor (27, Washington D.C.), Son Mi Yi (43, Portland), and Angela Davis (49, Vernonia), all on disorderly conduct charges.
Melugin later confirmed that Sortor had been filming a moment when federal agents deployed mace on protesters — footage that, according to Sortor, provoked the crowd and led to him being pushed into a flowerbed and struck before his arrest.
Cammila Wamsley, director of ICE operations in Portland, expressed frustration over the recurring unrest at the facility, which has reportedly faced over a hundred consecutive nights of confrontation.
“Our staff and officers are regularly targeted,” she said. “It’s increasingly dangerous, and yet local law enforcement is often restricted in how they can respond due to city policies.”
She also pointed to escalating tactics used by some demonstrators — including the use of fireworks, lasers, property damage, and the doxxing of federal employees.
Conclusion
The arrest of journalist Nick Sortor adds another layer of complexity to Portland’s ongoing unrest. As questions swirl around protester behavior, police response, and journalistic freedom, the incident highlights the volatile mix of politics, public safety, and media in America’s protest landscape.
Whether Sortor was a bystander caught in a chaotic moment or a sign of deeper systemic bias remains under scrutiny. What’s clear, however, is that the line between covering a protest and becoming part of it is increasingly blurred.