Karoline Leavitt warns of cutting Portland aid after conservative journalist Nick Sortor's arrest

WASHINGTON, DC: Months of unrest outside Portland’s ICE facility erupted into national controversy on Thursday, October 2, when police arrested conservative journalist Nick Sortor during a protest.

The next day, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt condemned the arrest, suggested to cut federal funding to Portland, and vowed that the Trump administration would restore law and order and defend ICE facilities from ongoing attacks by Antifa and other left-wing groups.

Donald Trump vows to end Portland ‘reign of terror,’ says Karoline Leavitt

At a press briefing, Karoline Leavitt declared that President Trump is determined to put an end to what she described as "the radical left's reign of terror" in Portland.

Leavitt announced that the president has instructed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to deploy federal troops to safeguard the city and defend ICE facilities, which she said have been "under siege" by Antifa and other far-left extremist groups.

According to Leavitt, "This is not peaceful protesting. This is left-wing anarchy that has been destroying this great American city for years, leaving police officers battered, citizens terrorized, and business properties damaged."

Leavitt painted a chaotic picture of recent events, claiming, "these radical left-wing lunatics have violently breached the ICE facility by using a stop sign as a battering ram hurled explosives and other projectiles at law enforcement, repeatedly assault and doxx officers, berate their law-abiding neighbors, and have even rolled out a guillotine in front of the ICE facility."

She sharply criticized local authorities for what she described as a failure to control the violence, pointing to the arrest of conservative journalist Nick Sortor as a disturbing example.

Leavitt shared, "Instead of arresting these violent mob members night after night after night after night who are ravaging this community, the police arrested a journalist who was there trying to document the chaos, and everyone in this room should be extremely concerned about that."

The Justice Department has already spoken with Sortor and is launching a full investigation into the circumstances of his arrest.

Leavitt also warned of broader implications for the city, "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."

The administration is currently reviewing which federal funds could be withheld from Portland due to the continued breakdown of law and order.

“We will not fund states that allow anarchy,” she stated. “Law and order will prevail, and President Trump will make sure of it.”

She concluded by noting that additional personnel from ICE and Customs and Border Protection would be redirected to Portland to help stabilize the situation.

Portland police arrests Nick Sortor during anti-ICE protest

Conservative commentator and self-described citizen journalist Nick Sortor was arrested Thursday night (October 2) by Portland police following a confrontation with protesters outside the city’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility.

Authorities say Sortor, 27, was taken into custody on suspicion of second-degree disorderly conduct, along with two Portland residents in their 40s. He was held briefly at the Multnomah County Detention Center before being released without bond.

Shortly after his release, Sortor posted footage of the incident on social media, tagging the Portland Police and writing, “You made a big freaking mistake. You proved what we’ve all been saying for years: you’re corrupt and controlled by vioIent [sic] Antifa thugs who terrorize the streets. You thought arresting me would make me shut up and go away. You couldn’t have been more wrong.”

A Washington, DC resident, Sortor has built a reputation for covering high-profile events from a right-wing perspective. He has appeared on conservative platforms providing dramatic on-the-ground reporting from events such as the Maui wildfires and the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment.

Karoline Leavitt sparks debate over cutting Portland funds after arrest

As footage of Karoline Leavitt addressing Nick Sortor’s arrest went viral, many internet users quickly took to social media to share their reactions.

One user wrote, "This is epic. You just sparked an investigation by the DOJ into law enforcement in Portland. No more messing with the good guys without consequence. Well done, Nick."

A commenter expressed, "While it's crucial to maintain law and order, it's equally important to respect individual rights. Cutting federal aid may not be the best solution, as it could affect innocent citizens. Instead, focusing on upholding the principles of personal liberty and non-aggression, while ensuring justice for wrongful actions, would be a more libertarian approach."

A user added, "Journalists are under attack by city leaders' foot soldiers, while they pretend they don't see it in order to wipe their hands clean of accountability. They have weaponized peoples mental health for their own cause, and journalists are paying the price for shining the light."

Another said, "The aid should have been cut 5 years ago when it allowed Antifa to burn cities. Arresting journalists is a new low for leftists."

A commenter urged, "Skip the review. Just cut it. Force them to reapply and justify why they should get one thin dime."

One individual said, "Interesting move by President Trump. If federal aid is cut, it could send a strong message, but it also raises questions about the balance between federal authority and local governance. Let’s see how this plays out in the bigger picture of law enforcement and state rights."

Someone else said, "Should be named “The Nick Sorter Mission.”"

This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.