The Department of Justice (DOJ) is currently looking into the Portland Police Department in Oregon, just days after the arrest of several conservative influencers as part of the city’s federal crime crackdown.
Harmeet Dhillon, who serves as the DOJ’s Civil Rights Assistant Advisor, confirmed that a letter was sent regarding the investigation to the Portland Police on Friday. “It was signed and sealed. Delivered!” she posted on her account.
In another update, Dillon mentioned interacting with Nick Sort, one of the influencers arrested outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility on Thursday. She also informed Attorney General Pam Bondy about their conversation concerning the events in Portland and the urgent requirement for a federal civil rights investigation.
“Portland has been operating under a failed consent decree due to ineffective police practices,” Dillon pointed out. “It’s been over a decade now.”
Sort was among three individuals detained outside the ICE facility but was later released after posting bail, according to the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office. Following the DOJ’s announcement, he shared a copy of Dillon’s letter on his account.
“Harmeet is really pushing to hold Portland accountable!” Sort expressed in a post on Friday night.
The DOJ has requested body camera footage, indicating in a letter that there are serious concerns regarding multiple journalists being attacked in Portland without police intervention.
In light of the situation, she encouraged people to “stay strong and have faith,” while mentioning that President Trump suggested deploying the U.S. National Guard to Portland, remarking that it “sounds safe from the Antifa tragedy.”
Portland Police Chief Bob Day expressed openness to the DOJ’s scrutiny, stating during a press conference that the department has been collaborating with the federal government since the 2012 Police Reform Agreement.
On Friday, White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt announced that a federal investigation would be opened regarding the arrests of the influencers.
Last weekend, Trump indicated he would call for the National Guard to assist in Portland amid ongoing immigration protests. Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield stated that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sent a note to Governor Tina Kotek regarding the situation.
Trump has also instructed his team to explore federal aid options aimed at overseeing operations in Portland, emphasizing that “we don’t fund states that allow disorder,” as Leavitt mentioned during a press briefing.
