Conservative journalist Nick Sortor said this week that senior officials in Portland considered pursuing additional charges against him following his arrest on October 2 while covering protests outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in downtown Portland.

Sortor, who runs a popular account on X and regularly reports from the scene of major events, was arrested by the Portland Police Bureau while documenting ongoing nightly protests that have continued outside the ICE building.

He was recording protesters, including individuals dressed in black bloc, as they burned an American flag, set small fires, and confronted journalists at the scene.

According to eyewitness reports, including video from other journalists, Sortor was surrounded by a crowd of far-left demonstrators who damaged his equipment and physically assaulted him.

Despite the circumstances, Sortor was taken into custody and charged with disorderly conduct.

Independent reporter Katie Daviscourt, who was also covering the protests that night, reported that the group instigated the confrontation and identified one woman, Son Mi Yi, as having pushed Sortor with an umbrella.

Daviscourt herself was assaulted the day before while reporting on similar unrest in Portland.

Reminder….

The Antifa thug that punched journalist Katie Daviscourt in the face was not arrested by Portland PD but Journalist Nick Sortor was arrested by Portland PD.

We have a major problem in Portland. pic.twitter.com/sTN49lzvpf

— C3 (@C_3C_3) October 3, 2025

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She sustained a concussion after being struck with a metal pole, but the suspect in that attack was not detained, even though a police officer was nearby at the time.

Sortor was held for approximately 12 to 24 hours at the Multnomah County Detention Center before being released without bond on the morning of October 3.

Shortly after his release, he posted on X, “Hey, Portland Police: you made a big freaking mistake.”

He accused authorities of targeting him for his political affiliation and failing to tell him what crime he was accused of for several hours.

On Monday, the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office announced that all charges against Sortor had been dismissed. In a statement, the office cited a lack of evidence to support the charge.

“After a careful review of the investigation, including reports and video, we do not believe the crime of Disorderly Conduct can be proven against Mr. Sortor beyond a reasonable doubt,” the statement said.

“The two other individuals arrested for Disorderly Conduct October 2nd have been charged.”

The release went on to thank law enforcement for their handling of the demonstrations.

“We greatly appreciate the efforts of the Portland Police Bureau to manage the situation near the ICE building during this time of political unrest. The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office remains committed to a fair and impartial administration of justice,” the statement added.

Speaking to Fox News host Jesse Watters after the charges were dropped, Sortor said that sources within the district attorney’s office told him “higher-ups” initially wanted to bring additional charges before prosecutors declined to move forward.

“We’re trying to figure out who gave the order, because the police that actually arrested me had no idea what was going on,” Sortor said.

“It took them almost an hour to find out what my charges even were.”

He said he has not been able to identify the official who may have pushed for further prosecution.

“The day that I get there, a conservative media personality with a camera, I’m the one that gets arrested. And even the DA out there is saying that I should have never been arrested,” Sortor said.

The October 2 incident drew national attention to Portland’s ongoing protests outside the federal immigration facility and the city’s handling of media coverage surrounding them.

Sortor said he intends to continue reporting from Portland and investigating the events that led to his arrest.