DOJ Plans Full Investigation Into Portland Police After Conservative Journalist Arrest

Attorney General Pam Bondi has ordered a full investigation into the Portland Police Bureau following the arrest of conservative journalist and influencer Nick Sortor during protests outside a Portland Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility. Sortor was arrested on suspicion of second-degree disorderly conduct amid clashes with protesters, an event that has sparked national political controversy and condemnation from the White House, including White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who labeled the arrest "extremely troubling" and accused local police of siding with "violent Antifa thugs." The DOJ Civil Rights Division, led by Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, is prioritizing the investigation, with concerns raised about potential viewpoint discrimination by Portland authorities. Sortor and his supporters, including President Donald Trump, have alleged that the Portland Police are controlled by Antifa and have criticized the city's handling of protests, while Portland officials deny political bias and reject the need for federal intervention. The probe seeks to examine the circumstances of Sortor's arrest, including the disparity in arrests during the altercation and the handling of evidence such as body camera footage.