Federal Investigation Initiated After Conservative Journalist's Disorderly Conduct Arrest by Portland Police

Portland, Oregon – Conservative journalist Nick Sortor's legal team has formally notified the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) of impending federal civil rights litigation, following his arrest on September 28, 2025, for second-degree disorderly conduct. The incident, which occurred during a protest near the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility, has prompted a federal investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). Sortor alleges his arrest was wrongful and demands "ALL internal records pertaining to their handling of Antifa."

Sortor, 27, of Washington, DC, was arrested by the PPB's Rapid Response Team (RRT) alongside two other individuals after police observed "additional fights break out" during the protest. Following his release without bond, Sortor stated on social media, "The city of Portland WILL be exposed, and innocent civilians will soon be freed from the hell they’re being put through from the Antifa-infiltrated police department," echoing claims he made earlier that local police are "CORRUPT and CONTROLLED by vioIent Antifa thugs."

The Justice Department has confirmed its investigation into Sortor's arrest. Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon has expressed concern over "potential viewpoint discrimination" and formally requested investigative materials from the City of Portland. Attorney General Pam Bondi reportedly informed Sortor that the DOJ would investigate, a development that has been amplified across conservative media.

The Trump administration has also weighed in, citing Sortor's arrest as grounds to review federal funding for Portland and announcing plans to send more federal resources to the city. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, "We will not fund states that allow anarchy," while Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem vowed, "what we saw happen to that journalist last night will not happen again." The PPB, however, maintains that arrests are based on "observed behavior and probable cause – not political affiliation or public profile."

Claims of Antifa infiltration within police departments are recurring but have been consistently denied by federal and local law enforcement officials, including the FBI, who find no credible evidence to support such allegations. Nick Sortor, known for his on-the-ground reporting and critical stance on left-wing activism, has a significant social media following and often covers civil unrest. This incident adds to Portland's extensive history of protests and legal challenges concerning police conduct.