Sign up for OPB’s “First Look” newsletter to receive a daily curated selection of the most crucial news and culture stories emanating from the Northwest. This concise daily briefing ensures readers remain informed about significant developments in the region. By subscribing, individuals gain immediate access to essential updates, making it a vital resource for staying abreast of Northwest affairs.
Federal agents use tear gas on Portland ‘ICE Out’ protesters, including children, and the sheer audacity of it all is difficult to process. It’s hard to fathom who the real threat is when the government seemingly pivots from protecting its citizens to attacking them. The reports paint a disturbing picture of federal agents deploying tear gas on a crowd that included families, union members, children, and even pets. The fact that this was a peaceful demonstration, occurring at 5 p.m., is a critical detail. This wasn’t some late-night clash; this was an event where the presence of children and the elderly was expected, making the use of chemical munitions even more reprehensible.… Continue reading
Stay informed with “First Look,” a daily email from OPB, delivering the most crucial news and cultural highlights from the Pacific Northwest directly to your inbox. This convenient service ensures readers receive a curated selection of essential stories. By subscribing, individuals can easily stay updated on the region’s top events and developments. Don’t miss out; sign up now to receive your daily dose of Northwest news.
ProPublica found that Fox News falsely portrayed old footage from 2020 protests as current events in Portland while covering resistance to the Trump administration’s immigration policies. The network aired a segment on September 4th, using clips from July 2020 of clashes between law enforcement and protesters outside a federal courthouse, alongside footage of an American flag burning. None of the footage was accurately labeled, implying it was current and in a different location. The network later added an editor’s note clarifying that the report utilized footage from 2020 and 2025.
Sunday’s demonstration in Portland, Oregon, marked three months of intensified unrest, as anti-ICE protesters and counterprotesters clashed near an ICE center. Counterprotesters, some wearing Trump-branded attire, carried banners and sang patriotic songs, while protesters across the street voiced their opposition to the administration’s immigration policies. Federal agents observed the demonstration, occasionally using pepper balls on the crowd. The city is currently awaiting an appeals court ruling regarding the deployment of federalized National Guard troops.
A right-wing news outlet recently “unmasked” a protester named Seth Todd, who has been demonstrating against the Trump administration’s actions in Portland, Oregon while wearing a frog costume. Todd explained that his motivations stem from a desire to protect his community from inhumane treatment and to challenge the administration’s narrative of Portland being “war-ravaged.” Other Portland residents have also employed costumes to confront ICE agents, and another demonstrator believes that using humor and absurdity undermines the administration’s fear-mongering tactics. Despite the peaceful nature of the protests, federal agents have used force, including pepper spray, against the demonstrators.
In response to President Trump’s mischaracterization of Portland as a violent and chaotic city, local residents have embraced a unique form of protest. These activists are countering Trump’s rhetoric by dancing and wearing costumes in front of federal law enforcement, challenging the president’s narrative of fear. The creative protests serve to refute Trump’s claims and demonstrate a lack of intimidation. Fact-checking efforts and statements from local officials, like Mayor Keith Wilson and Governor Tina Kotek, further expose the inaccuracies of Trump’s statements about the city’s conditions.
Recently resurfaced testimony from Brigadier General Alan R. Gronewold before Oregon lawmakers has sparked debate amidst uncertainty surrounding President Trump’s troop deployment plans in Portland. Gronewold stated that National Guard soldiers were to be trained in “protective crowd control” and would be present to protect protesters. The general also clarified that the soldiers, under federalization, would fall under the control of the U.S. Northern Command and not his chain of command. This is while the court is deciding on Trump’s ability to deploy troops from other states.
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem visited Portland, Oregon, where she surveyed a small group of protesters, described by some as an “army of Antifa.” Accompanied by conservative influencer Benny Johnson, Noem viewed the demonstration from the roof of an ICE facility, the site of recent protests. The scene consisted of roughly a dozen people, including photojournalists, protesters, and even a man in a chicken costume, prompting mockery from liberal commentators. Despite the administration’s characterization of the protests as dangerous, the actual scene appeared far less dramatic, with critics highlighting the disparity between the described threat and the reality on the ground.
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood
Judge Halts ICE Teargas and Projectile Use on Portland Protesters Amid Enforcement Doubts
A federal judge has temporarily prohibited immigration officers from using teargas or projectile munitions against protesters outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Portland, Oregon. This ruling follows instances where federal agents deployed such force against demonstrators, including children, described as peaceful by local officials. The court found that the agency’s actions were not isolated and suggested a culture of celebrating violent responses. The order restricts the use of chemical or projectile munitions unless an imminent threat of physical harm is posed, with further limitations on targeting the head, neck, or torso unless deadly force is legally justified.
Read More