Independent journalist Nick Sortor has announced that a federal investigation has been launched following his arrest by Portland Police. The arrest occurred Thursday night outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility where Sortor was reporting. In a post on social media platform X, Sortor stated, “Attorney General Pam Bondi has ORDERED a full investigation… of the Portland Police Bureau, following my wrongful arrest.” He added that the Trump administration’s Department of Justice “WILL NOT allow Portland Police to continue to do the bidding of Antifa.”
Who is Nick Sortor and Why Was He Arrested?
Nick Sortor is a 27-year-old Washington, D.C.-based conservative influencer and self-described “independent journalist” who has amassed over 1.2 million followers on X. He became well-known for his firsthand reporting of significant events, frequently from a viewpoint that was critical of liberal policy. His notable reporting includes the 2023 East Palestine train derailment, where he criticized the government’s response, and the Maui wildfires, which led to a public confrontation with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. He was recording anti-ICE demonstrations in Portland at the beginning of October 2025 when the incident happened. According to reports, Sortor was filming protesters who then “swarmed/surrounded him.” The situation escalated when someone allegedly threw a punch at him. Sortor reportedly threw a punch back but missed, then disengaged. It was after this that he was taken into custody.
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What Are the Specific Allegations Against the Police?
The core allegation, which has prompted the federal investigation, is that Portland Police engaged in selective enforcement. Sortor and his supporters claim that while he was arrested for his role in the altercation, the protesters who allegedly swarmed him and threw the first punch were not. Furthermore, details provided to Fox News suggest that after Sortor went to the police, he was arrested and placed in a cop car while officers “figured out what to charge him with,” raising questions about the grounds for his immediate detention.
How Have Federal Authorities Responded?
The response from federal officials has been swift and public. Sortor claims that Attorney General Pam Bondi personally called him to inform him of the investigation, which will be led by Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon. Dhillon confirmed the investigation, stating she had spoken to both Bondi and Sortor and that the matter is a ‘high priority’ for the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division. An official notice has been sent to the Portland Police, signaling a formal federal review of their actions.
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What is the Broader Context in Portland?
This was not an isolated instance. Since June, the Portland ICE facility has been the scene of violent incidents. The director of the facility has previously expressed frustration, telling Fox News that “it takes Portland police a while to respond, or sometimes they don’t respond at all.” In a parallel move, President Donald Trump has directed the National Guard to arrive in Portland, underscoring the continuous conflict between federal and local authorities on protest control and law enforcement in the city.
Disclaimer: This report is based on statements from Nick Sortor, federal officials, and secondary news reports.
