For the first time in quite a while, the Immigration Customs Enforcement Building wasn’t swarmed by Antifa on Wednesday night. It’s interesting, really. Once there are actual consequences for illegal activities, things tend to quiet down significantly.
I arrived at the facility just before sunset, and it was evident something was different. Normally, you’d see a group of masked Antifa members wandering around ominously. Now, instead of a crowd of protesters, there were just a few disabled individuals, some in wheelchairs and one blind. It’s as if they were intentionally placed there to provoke ICE officers, which, in contrast, made the National Guard look sort of ineffective.
A couple of masked individuals still lingered, but they no longer seemed like predators. In fact, their roles appeared reversed. A noticeable difference was the presence of armed ICE officers on the roof, alongside American flags that hadn’t been visible the previous night. Some observers speculated that the flag was at half-staff for Charlie Kirk, but viewers can make their own assessments based on the photos.
Reports from Fox News indicated that ICE agents were identifying and apprehending members of Antifa who were previously known for engaging in criminal behavior. It felt like a clear message: there’s a new order in town, and Antifa’s antics will no longer go unchecked.
The changes in Portland felt reminiscent of the moment when President Trump reinforced federal authority in D.C. back in September, which many deemed a display of authoritarianism. One lesser-known detail is that ICE facilities are tucked away in a swanky area, high-rises made of steel and glass, distanced from downtown and its usual homeless presence.
In recent weeks, I heard affluent locals grumble about the late-night disturbances caused by Antifa. These were people who had invested significantly in stylish residences, enjoying the finer things like stunning views and organic wines. If they were indeed bothered by the increased federal presence, they kept that sentiment well-hidden while walking their well-groomed dogs and sipping craft beers.
Not one person mentioned Antifa to me—not that I would expect them to. Maybe my Fox News gear wasn’t working its charm, but their silence spoke volumes; clearly, they were relieved to regain some peace in their neighborhood.
There was absolutely no protest against Trump’s actions among them. None.
Reflecting on this situation, it’s like a throwback to the Giuliani era in New York during the ’90s. The takeaway seems to be that if there’s intent to tackle crime and restore order, swift and decisive action is required, not lengthy strategies. Trump gets that, although the locals might not appreciate the approach. They might never credit him for the return to normalcy, but they certainly seem to enjoy it.
As I mentioned earlier, the administration’s philosophy could be summed up as “Just get things done.” And that evening, it genuinely felt like a shift was taking place.
Late Wednesday night, I did spot a handful of Antifa members in downtown. Their presence was deflated, as if lost and simply wanting to abandon their flags.
Who knows, those flags could soon symbolize surrender as this group, undeniably a domestic threat, faces the prospect of legal repercussions nationwide.
The contrast between Tuesday and Wednesday was stark. Just a day earlier, authorities seemed powerless to stop an attack. But by Wednesday, the tide had turned, and the law appeared to take effect.
From Washington, D.C., to Portland—and perhaps Memphis—Trump seems to be taking steps to tackle the issues of crime and political unrest in America. Whether people love him or not, he’s certainly making strides to address what many see as a troubling trend.
