A conservative journalist was taken into custody during protests near an ICE facility in Portland, Oregon, after attempting to extinguish a burning American flag. Nick Sortor, a prominent figure on X with a significant following, was charged with disorderly conduct following the incident.

Sortor, who had previously documented violent encounters between ANTIFA members and authorities at the site, claimed he intervened when protesters set an American flag ablaze. According to reports, police detained him without immediate explanation, leaving him unaware of the charges for over an hour. Sortor described the situation as unexpected, stating he believed he was seeking safety among officers but instead became the target of the arrest.

The incident occurred amid ongoing tensions at the South Portland ICE building, a focal point for protests against federal immigration policies. The Portland Police Bureau indicated they were monitoring the demonstration when conflicts arose between protesters. While no details were provided about the specific altercation leading to Sortor’s detention, the case sparked criticism on social media, with some accusing authorities of selectively enforcing laws.

Sortor’s arrest coincided with pending legal proceedings over President Donald Trump’s deployment of National Guard forces in Portland, aimed at securing ICE facilities from protester threats.