The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) finds itself in hot water over allegations of defaming conservative journalist Katie Daviscourt, who was brutally attacked by Antifa observers, with authorities insinuating she provoked the incident simply by being present.
Daviscourt, a reporter for The Post Millennial, was inaccurately categorized as a “counter-protester” in an internal police document, which implied that her and others’ actions amounted to deliberate taunting of protesters, culminating in their assaults.
This disturbing incident occurred earlier this week when Daviscourt was struck in the face by a masked Antifa member wielding a flagpole, leaving her with visible injuries. In the aftermath, police opted against detaining the attacker, who hastily retreated into a nearby “safehouse” tailored for such extremists.
NEW: Post Millennial Journalist @KatieDaviscourt got a BLACK-EYE from TRANTIFA, and she claims PORTLAND PD REFUSED to ARREST the attacker
âI ran straight to a Portland police officer. I tracked the suspect for 35 minutes through the streets and told them, âThis is the person⊠pic.twitter.com/gFcISeVNdE
â Jesse Watters (@JesseBWatters) October 2, 2025
The contentious report, penned by PPB Sgt. Andrew Braun, painted Daviscourt and fellow journalist Chelly Bouferrache, along with conservative activist Rhein Amacher, as habitual troublemakers at the ICE protests. This portrayal is ironic, considering all three have faced violence at the hands of leftist actors.
The report included this eyebrow-raising assertion:
âThese 3 counter-protesters continue to be a chronic source of police and medical calls at ICE. Despite repeated advice from officers to stay away from the ICE crowd, they constantly return and antagonize the protesters until they are assaulted or pepper-sprayed. They refuse or are reluctant to walk away from these confrontations, even when police are in the area trying to meet with them. They even engage in the same trespassing behavior on federal and trolley property as the main protesters. Aside from the confrontation between opposing protesters, there was no reported activity around ICE that would have otherwise generated a police response.â
The Post Millennial quickly countered, pointing out that Daviscourt has been diligently covering ongoing protests and riots for months, capturing her experiences in The Post Millennial and across social media platforms where local mainstream media have chosen to tread lightly for âsafety reasons.â On Sept. 30 alone, however, Daviscourtâs pursuit of truth culminated in a concussion and eye hemorrhage after an aggressive assault involving a swung flagpole.
I am going to go to war with @PortlandPolice!
The agency submitted testimony that mischaracterizes me as a counter-protester who intentionally agitates Antifa to get assaulted. I am beyond furious. Anyone who knows me knows I always stand alone, am non-violent, and never provoke the crowdâŠ
â Katie Daviscourt (@KatieDaviscourt) October 4, 2025
In her own defense, Daviscourt asserted:
âI am going to go to war with Portland Police!
The agency submitted testimony that accuses me of being a counter-protester who provokes Antifa to incite violence. I am beyond pissed. Anyone who knows me knows I stand alone, am non-violent, and calmly document events.
I just want to fulfill my journalistic duties. Itâs GAME ON!â
Daviscourt has indeed been a crucial voice amidst the tumultuous climate surrounding the ICE facility in Portland, Oregon, where protests and riots have plagued the area since June 2025. Her reporting has not only uncovered Antifa’s actions but also documented their confrontations with law enforcement and threats to federal property, effectively filling a gap that local legacy media has chosen to avoid amid safety risks.
This is the suspect who assaulted Katie. Sheâs wearing those silly glasses in the third photo that she was spotted with that night. https://t.co/N2odXb3IXv
â C.K. Bouferrache aka Honeybadgermom (@hunnybadgermom) October 1, 2025
The implications of the PPB’s characterization have incited outrage from right-wing circles and instigated a federal inquiry into the department’s handling of the case.
This lack of decisive action from the Portland Police is not limited to Daviscourtâs incident. On October 2, conservative commentator Nick Sortor likewise found himself attacked while covering events at the same site. Following a defensive altercation, Sortor was arrested for disorderly conduct, while others reportedly faced no repercussions for their involvement.
In light of these events, including Daviscourtâs assault and Sortorâs legal troubles, the Department of Justice, under the leadership of Harmeet Dhillon, has initiated an investigation.
In a letter addressed to Portland City Attorney Robert Taylor and Chief of Police Bob Day, Dhillon expressed significant concerns:
âPPB reportedly arrested individuals involved in the altercation but chose to detain Nick Sortor, leaving others free. PPB also allegedly failed to apprehend those responsible for the assault on Katie Daviscourt, even after detaining them briefly; and the City of Portland has reportedly attempted to exploit its policing powers to hinder ICEâs operations within the city limits.â
Portland: Signed, sealed, delivered! pic.twitter.com/d8n7RnniQN
â AAGHarmeetDhillon (@AAGDhillon) October 3, 2025
Compounding the situation, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced on September 28 that around 200 National Guard troops would be deployed to assist the Department of Homeland Security in securing the ICE facility and countering leftist extremists.
However, Oregonâs Democratic officials opposed this effort, filing for a temporary restraining order against the federal government, which a judge has upheld, further complicating an already controversial scenario.