Justice Department probes Portland Police Bureau after Trump administration bias claims
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The Department of Justice is initiating an inquiry into the Portland Police Bureau over “questionable” actions, following claims from the Trump administration that the bureau has shown bias during extended protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Harmeet Dhillon, the assistant attorney general for civil rights, announced the probe Friday, citing orders from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.

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

The city shared a statement with Fox News Digital: “We are still assessing this investigation and currently cannot comment on specific federal government requests,” they expressed. “What can be confirmed is Mayor Wilson’s complete confidence in the Portland Police Bureau’s dedication to ensuring public safety, honoring the rights of individuals to assemble lawfully, and enforcing laws without prejudice.”

A montage depicts federal officers amid tear gas at protests near Portland’s U.S. ICE facility while the Trump administration probes the Portland Police Bureau’s actions during tumultuous protests.  (X/@KatieDaviscourt; AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Portland has experienced ongoing nighttime protests in response to the Trump administration’s immigration policies, with some events escalating into confrontations with law enforcement.

The Trump administration announced a review Friday of federal funding to the city.

U.S. Border Patrol Agents apprehend a protester at the ICE headquarters in Portland, Oregon, on Thursday, October 3, 2025.  (Reuters/Carlos Barria)

This review follows the detention of conservative journalist Nick Sortor late on Thursday while he was covering the protests in Portland. This incident was described by Leavitt as “extremely concerning,” and she announced that the Department of Justice had contacted Sortor Friday morning and “will conduct a thorough investigation into his arrest.”

“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,” Leavitt said. 

“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.”

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