Oregon — The Portland ICE facility continues to sit at the center of ongoing controversy and unrest. The facility has been the site of ongoing demonstrations since May with many arrests and convictions resulting from the behavior of Anti-ICE activists, including persons tied to Antifa.
Portland Police reported that including the two arrests made on Saturday, 10/11/2025, they had made 49 arrests in the South Waterfront area since early June. Another incident involved reporter Katie Daviscourt being assaulted by a member of Portland Antifa. PPB issued a release calling for public assistance identifying the suspect, Daviscourt and Post Millennial Editor At-Large Andy Ngo challenged PPB for inaction at the time of the incident when Daviscourt states she identified the suspect to an officer.
RNO was on the ground at the Portland ICE facility the night of 10/3/2025 and observed the crowd of protestors routinely present in the street blocking traffic. They also blocked an ambulance from leaving the ICE facility which delayed it by several minutes.
In their statements and social media content high-level Oregon Democrats have not addressed any of the documented issues of incidents of violence and other illegal activities. Recent posts have focused on showing quiet and peaceful places in Portland away from the ICE facility or showing the facility during the day when the area is less active, as the demonstrations and activity occurs primarily at night. Their statements and posts have focused heavily on President Trump calling Portland “War Ravaged” and juxtaposing this statement with images of serene areas of the city with this description.
Governor Kotek and Attorney General Dan Rayfield
In response to Senator Wyden’s most recent post on X with pumpkins, shown above, State Representative Ed Diehl offered to connect with Senator with less affluent Oregonians who “don’t have the luxury of isolating themselves from the homelessness and drug addiction that is destroying communities.”
Videos from people on the ground at the ICE facility have shown repeated incidents of violence and conflict with federal agents. The US Attorney for Oregon has brought many cases coming from activities at the ICE facility. These cases have included charges of assaulting officers, creating a hazard, failure to comply with lawful orders, and more. In early October the US Attorney’s Office reported they had charged 31 defendants with federal crimes for offenses at the ICE building since June 13, 2025. Anti-ICE demonstrators targeted the building with mortar fireworks, rocks, and bricks on June 14, 2025 according to the US Attorney for Oregon. Portland Police declared a riot that same evening. Earlier this month a woman plead guilty to charges of Felony Intimidation for brandishing and swinging a knife at officers at the ICE facility.
In more recent events far-left activists in Portland have been calling for people to begin shining lasers at the helicopter that has been flying over the area as a part of a recent surge in federal resources. The call for “Laser Tag” was posted on October 10, 2025 to a site Rose City Counter Info which describes itself as “an anarchist counter-info project focused on the Portland area and the surrounding territory (primarily Oregon and southwest Washington).”
As the legal battle over President Trump calling to deploy National Guard troops to the Portland facility continues so do nightly demonstrations and a battle of political narratives as Oregon Democrats portray Portland as a “thriving” city without acknowledging the ongoing issues at the Anti-ICE demonstrations.
A search of press releases from Senators Wyden and Merkley, as well as Governor Kotek and Attorney General Rayfield shows the following results related to Portland.
Merkley
Three press releases since July 2025
July 15, 2025 – Dexter, Wyden, Merkley Secure Emergency Court Order to Halt Deportation of Portland Family, Grant Access to Legal Counsel. This release does not make any mention of the activities at the ICE facility.
September 27, 2025 – Oregon Delegation Demands Trump Keep Federal Troops out Of Portland. This release does not make any mention of the arrests or violent activities at the ICE facility. It includes the statements: “Portland is a vibrant and peaceful city, and does not require any deployment of federal troops or additional federal agents to keep our community safe.” and “Our constituents have long engaged in peaceful First Amendment activity, and the Governor of Oregon and the Mayor of Portland have the appropriate resources to maintain peace and order in our communities.”
October 9, 2025 – Bonamici, Wyden, Merkley, Dexter Demand Answers about Portland ICE Facility. This release or the letter it links to does not make any mention of unlawful conduct by demonstrators or arrests or charges for assaults on federal officers. The letter expresses concern over the conduct of federal officers related to the protestors including the statements: “More than a dozen advocates outside the facility have reported unprovoked attacks by Homeland Security police and FPS officers.” and “The Portland Police Bureau reported that federal police shoved, hit, and used chemical spray on people outside the facility when, according to multiple witnesses, there was no physical threat to officers.”
Wyden
July 22, 2025 – Merkley, Wyden, Bonamici Introduce Bill to Stop Occupation of American Cities by Federal Law Enforcement, Armed Forces. This release does not make any mention of the arrests or violent activities at the ICE facility.
September 27, 2025 – Delegation Demands Trump Keep Federal Troops out Of Portland. This mirrors Senator Merkley’s press release of the same date.
October 9, 2025 – Wyden, Merkley, Dexter Demand Answers about Portland ICE Facility.This mirrors Senator Merkley’s press release of the same date.
Kotek
October 8, 2025 – Governor Kotek, Attorney General Rayfield, Mayor Wilson Respond to Administrative Stay. This release does not make any mention of unlawful conduct by demonstrators or arrests or charges for assaults on federal officers. It includes the following statements: From Governor Kotek “There is no need for military intervention in Oregon. There is no insurrection in Portland.” From Mayor Wilson “As I’ve said from the beginning, the number of troops needed in Portland is zero. Our local police are focused on protecting Portlanders’ right to protest peacefully and keeping our community safe.”
October 7, 2025 – Governor Kotek Directs Northern Command to Send National Guard Members Home. This release does not make any mention of unlawful conduct by demonstrators or arrests or charges for assaults on federal officers.
October 7, 2025 – Governor Kotek Meets with Secretary Noem to Stand Up for Oregonians. This release does not make any mention of unlawful conduct by demonstrators or arrests or charges for assaults on federal officers. It includes the following statements from Governor Kotek: “Today, in my meeting with Secretary Noem, I reiterated again that there is no insurrection in Oregon.” and “I reiterated that I continue to be focused on doing whatever I can to protect Oregonians from military intervention or harmful federal law enforcement tactics. Oregon is united against military policing in our communities.”
October 5, 2025 – Governor Kotek, Attorney General Rayfield, Mayor Wilson Respond to Federal Court Ruling to Block Deployment of States’ National Guard. This release does not make any mention of unlawful conduct by demonstrators or arrests or charges for assaults on federal officers. It includes the following statement from Attorney General Rayfield “The court recognized what we’ve said all along: there is no rebellion, no invasion, and no justification for militarizing our communities.”
October 5, 2025 – Governor Kotek Statement on the Mobilization of Texas National Guard to Oregon. This release does not make any mention of unlawful conduct by demonstrators or arrests or charges for assaults on federal officers.
October 5, 2025 – Governor Kotek, Attorney General Rayfield, Mayor Wilson Denounce Unauthorized Troop Deployment to Oregon. This release does not make any mention of unlawful conduct by demonstrators or arrests or charges for assaults on federal officers.
October 4, 2025 – Governor Kotek: ‘The truth has prevailed’. This release does not make any mention of unlawful conduct by demonstrators or arrests or charges for assaults on federal officers.
October 3, 2025 – Governor Kotek Urges Patience as Oregon Awaits Ruling on Guard Deployment. This release does not make any mention of unlawful conduct by demonstrators or arrests or charges for assaults on federal officers. It includes the following statement “I ask that Oregonians who want to speak out about the recent actions do so peacefully and remain calm.”
October 1, 2025 – Governor Kotek: Trump’s Illegal Actions Could Cost Taxpayers an Estimated $10 Million. This release does not make any mention of unlawful conduct by demonstrators or arrests or charges for assaults on federal officers.
September 28, 2025 – Governor Kotek and Attorney General Fight Back on President Trump’s Abuse of Power. This release does not make any mention of unlawful conduct by demonstrators or arrests or charges for assaults on federal officers. It includes the following statement from Governor Kotek: “When the president and I spoke yesterday, I told him in plain language that there is no insurrection or threat to public safety that necessitates military intervention in Portland or any other city in our state. Despite this – and all evidence to the contrary – he has chosen to disregard Oregonians’ safety and ability to govern ourselves.”
September 27, 2025 – Governor Kotek Responds to President Trump Social Media Announcement Authorizing Federal Troops to Portland. This release does not make any mention of unlawful conduct by demonstrators or arrests or charges for assaults on federal officers.
RNO did not find any further press releases related to activities at the Portland ICE facility going back to May 14, 2025.
Rayfield
October 05, 2025 – Judge Blocks Any National Guard From Being Deployed to Oregon. This release does not make any mention of unlawful conduct by demonstrators or arrests or charges for assaults on federal officers. It includes the following statement from Portland Mayor Wilson “Our local police officers are focused on protecting Portlanders’ right to protest peacefully and keeping our community safe. Federal troops will not make our community safer, period.”
October 05, 2025 – Oregon, California and Portland Move to Block Unlawful Deployment of California National Guard Troops to Oregon. This release does not make any mention of unlawful conduct by demonstrators or arrests or charges for assaults on federal officers.
October 04, 2025 – Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield Statement on Federal Court Granting Temporary Restraining Order. This release does not make any mention of unlawful conduct by demonstrators or arrests or charges for assaults on federal officers.
October 3, 2025 – Attorney General Rayfield Issues Statement Pending a Ruling on a Temporary Restraining Order to Block Deployment of National Guard. This release does not make any mention of unlawful conduct by demonstrators or arrests or charges for assaults on federal officers. It includes the statement “Portland has always been a place that’s a little different, a little quirky, and that spirit of resilience and creativity is what will carry us through.”
September 29, 2025 – Update: Hearing Friday as Oregon Seeks to Block Unlawful Federalization of Guard. This release does not make any mention of unlawful conduct by demonstrators or arrests or charges for assaults on federal officers. It includes the statement “Oregonians aren’t fooled. People are posting videos from every corner of the city showing that it is vibrant and calm,” said Attorney General Dan Rayfield. “This isn’t about safety, it’s about stirring up headlines. Our Guard members are our neighbors, not political props. We’re confident in our case and will continue to defend Oregon’s laws and values.”
September 29, 2025 – Oregon Files Motion for Temporary Restraining Order to Block Unlawful Federalization of National Guard. This release does not make any mention of unlawful conduct by demonstrators or arrests or charges for assaults on federal officers.
September 28, 2025 – Oregon Sues Trump Administration Over Unlawful Federalization of National Guard. This release does not make any mention of unlawful conduct by demonstrators or arrests or charges for assaults on federal officers. It includes the statement “Oregon communities are stable, and our local officials have been clear: we have the capacity to manage public safety without federal interference.”
RNO did not find any further press releases related to activities at the Portland ICE facility going back to May 6, 2025.
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