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October 04, 2025 – USA –
Nick Sortor, a 27-year-old conservative influencer and self-described citizen journalist, was arrested by Portland police Thursday night amid anti-ICE protests near the city’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility.
Sortor, who has more than 1 million followers on X and frequently appears on right-wing media outlets, was taken into custody along with two others on suspicion of second-degree disorderly conduct. He was released without bond.
According to Sortor, he was filming the protests when he was surrounded, pushed into a flower bed, and struck by assailants before being handcuffed by police. He claimed that he did not expect to be arrested and questioned why he was targeted for documenting the scene. He also posted that President Donald Trump sent him a message of support after his arrest, saying “we are behind you 100%.”
Local authorities countered Sortor’s version, stating that the arrest was based on observed behavior and probable cause, not political affiliation. Portland Police Chief Bob Day emphasized that the action was not politically motivated. Meanwhile, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi launched a civil rights investigation into the arrest to determine whether viewpoint discrimination occurred.
The arrest comes as national attention is focused on Portland, where President Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of federal troops and used the city as an emblem of “lawless” urban centers. Supporters of Sortor claim his arrest signals suppression of dissenting media voices and warn of chilling effects on press freedom.
The case is still unfolding, with district attorneys reviewing whether to file charges.
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