Portland City Attorney to US DOJ Please Do Not Fail America
Portland's city attorney, Robert Taylor, condemned federal police for allegedly brutalizing protesters and violating constitutional rights, responding to a federal investigation into the Portland Police Bureau's practices. This investigation was triggered by the arrest of conservative influencer Nicholas Sortor, who was charged with disorderly conduct amid protests at the ICE facility. Taylor's letter to the DOJ's Civil Rights Division cited multiple instances of federal police using excessive force against peaceful demonstrators, questioning their commitment to the Constitution. He accused federal agents of engaging in viewpoint discrimination by providing preferential treatment to conservative influencers while targeting dissenters. The city firmly denies any discrimination by the Portland Police Bureau.
Recent litigation against the Trump administration highlighted police reports indicating that right-wing counter-protesters have inflamed tensions during protests. Documents show police advising right-wing figures to avoid the protest crowds, reflecting a complex and contentious atmosphere. Taylor's assertions raise broader concerns about federal law enforcement's conduct during protests, emphasizing the need for accountability.