Portland Police Accused of Siding with Antifa Terrorists, Now Under DOJ Investigation [WATCH]

The U.S. Justice Department has opened an investigation into the Portland Police Bureau’s handling of recent protest activity and clashes outside federal facilities, citing concerns about police practices during weeks of sustained incidents targeting federal buildings and personnel in Portland, Oregon.

The announcement came hours after Portland Police arrested conservative journalist Nick Sortor on disorderly conduct charges following a confrontation in which he was surrounded by a crowd of far-left demonstrators.

According to accounts from the scene, some in the crowd damaged Sortor’s equipment and assaulted him before officers took him into custody.

One day earlier, reporter Katie Daviscourt, who has documented far-left and Antifa activity in Portland, Seattle, and other cities, was struck with a metal pole while covering protests in Portland.

Also, sorry Katie wasn’t punched. She was bashed in the eye with a stick.

As if that is any better.

I apologize for this error.

😂😂😂😂

— C3 (@C_3C_3) October 3, 2025

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

The incident was recorded on video.

The individual involved was not arrested at the scene.

🚨NEW: Post Millennial Journalist @KatieDaviscourt got a BLACK-EYE from TRANTIFA and she says PORTLAND PD REFUSED to ARREST the attacker 🚨

“I ran straight to a Portland police officer. I tracked the suspect for 35 minutes through the streets and told them, “This is the person… pic.twitter.com/gFcISeVNdE

— Jesse Watters (@JesseBWatters) October 2, 2025

The Portland Police Bureau said a sworn “dialogue liaison officer” assigned to maintain communication with demonstrators followed the woman seen in the video and attempted to speak with her to “hear her side of the story,” according to a department news release.

Police described the person as a white female with a large septum nose piercing, wearing a black mask and carrying a backpack.

The bureau said the liaison officer lost track of the suspect during the encounter.

I cannot wait to see the DOJ absolutely CRUSH this agency.

— Katie Daviscourt 📸 (@KatieDaviscourt) October 4, 2025

Harmeet Dhillon, the assistant attorney general for civil rights, announced Friday that the inquiry was initiated under the direction of Attorney General Pam Bondi.

“We will not leave the people of Portland at the whims of criminals and woke cops. Govern yourselves accordingly!” Dhillon posted on X.

In a letter dated Friday to Portland City Attorney Robert Taylor and Police Chief Bob Day, Dhillon outlined concerns about recent events, including the arrest of Sortor and reports that local police actions impeded U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel from accessing a federal facility in the city.

The letter said the Justice Department is reviewing whether Portland Police policies and on-the-ground decisions complied with federal civil-rights obligations and did not interfere with federal operations.

Dhillon’s office requested unredacted incident reports related to use-of-force incidents, arrests, and other enforcement actions connected to protests at ICE facilities over the past 30 days, as well as communications reflecting directions given to officers responding at those locations, Fox News reported.

The request set an October 10 deadline for the city to provide responsive documents.

BREAKING: The Department of Justice’s Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights @HarmeetKDhillon has launched an investigation into @PortlandPolice over the arrest of Nick Sortor and the failure to arrest and identify my assault suspect. https://t.co/sbXTMYLpon

— Katie Daviscourt 📸 (@KatieDaviscourt) October 3, 2025

A city official confirmed to Fox News that the notice of investigation arrived while city attorneys were in federal court seeking to block a White House plan to deploy federalized National Guard resources to Portland.

“We are still reviewing this inquiry and do not have a comment at this time on specific requests lodged by the federal government,” the city said.

“What we can say is this: Mayor Wilson has full faith in the Portland Police Bureau’s commitment to protecting public safety, upholding the rights of all individuals to lawfully assemble and impartially enforcing the law.”

Portland has experienced nightly demonstrations outside federal buildings and properties used by ICE.

Authorities have reported multiple violent incidents, including assaults and property damage.

The Justice Department recently sent additional personnel to support federal agents assigned to those facilities.

The White House said Friday that federal funding to Portland is under review in response to the latest events.

“This incident is part of a troubling trend in Portland, where left-wing mobs believe they get to decide who can visit and live in their city. It is not their city; it is the American people’s city, and President Trump is going to restore that,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, referring to Sortor’s arrest.

“I just spoke with the president about this, and he has directed his team here at the White House to begin reviewing aid that can potentially be cut to Portland. We will not fund states that allow anarchy.”

Leftists: Trump is a fascist! Free speech!

Also leftists: Arrest journalist they don’t like to silence his speech and protect their violent street soldiers.

Time for the FO part to begin, Portland.

— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) October 3, 2025

The Justice Department said the civil-rights inquiry will evaluate Portland Police policies, training, and incident-level decisions related to protests affecting federal property and personnel, and will assess whether local actions met federal standards.

The department asked city officials to preserve all relevant records while the review proceeds.

City leaders said they would respond through counsel and continue to coordinate with federal authorities regarding demonstrations near federal sites.