Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Portland, Oregon, on Tuesday, accompanied by several conservative social media influencers. The visit sparked controversy after state officials accused ICE officers of provoking protesters and using excessive force.
Noem arrived in Portland with conservative influencers Benny Johnson, Nick Sortor, and David Media, who joined her motorcade from the airport. The trio filmed and shared the visit online, posting clips of Noem praying with officers and giving a pep talk inside the facility.
Outside, Portland police blocked nearby streets before the secretary’s arrival, keeping a small group of peaceful protesters at a distance. Some demonstrators wore costumes, including a chicken suit and a baby shark outfit, while others played satirical songs from a nearby camp.
Protesters shouted questions at government videographers, asking why federal officers were filming the crowd. One yelled, “Did we rename the Department of Homeland Security the ministry of propaganda?”
Noem’s visit came as the Trump administration continues to claim that the ICE facility in Portland is “under siege” by violent protesters. However, the reality on the ground appeared far calmer, with only a few dozen demonstrators present.
A federal judge in Portland, Karin Immergut, recently blocked President Trump’s attempt to federalize Oregon’s National Guard. The judge called his claims that the city was “burning to the ground” “untethered to the facts.” She later expanded her order to prevent any National Guard units from other states from being deployed to Oregon.
Since Trump began portraying Portland as a “war zone,” conservative media figures have increasingly appeared at local protests. Some confrontations between Trump supporters and demonstrators have resulted in arrests. Influencer Nick Sortor was among those detained after trying to push through a protest area and grabbing an American flag from a demonstrator.
Although charges against Sortor were dropped, two women involved in the scuffle still face prosecution. Portland police have since described several right-wing influencers as “counter-protesters” who repeatedly provoke altercations.
Oregon’s governor, Tina Kotek, criticized the ICE agency for escalating tensions. She said federal officers had used unnecessary amounts of teargas in residential areas and invited conservative influencers to film from the facility’s rooftop. “They are clearly trying to antagonize the crowds,” Kotek said earlier this week.
Benny Johnson, one of the influencers accompanying Noem, posted footage of her standing on the roof of the ICE building, looking down at the protesters below. He captioned the video, “DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stares down army of Antifa and a guy in a chicken suit.”
Protesters responded by blaring the “Benny Hill” theme music, mocking what they saw as a staged media event.
Critics noted the sharp contrast between Noem’s description of a dangerous “siege” and the peaceful scene at the site. Local activists say the protests have been ongoing since June and mostly involve small groups calling for the end of ICE raids in the city.
Noem’s department has faced scrutiny for its social media strategy, which often features dramatic videos of immigration raids and clashes with demonstrators. Observers say these videos aim to portray a sense of crisis that aligns with the Trump administration’s broader messaging.
During her visit, Noem also met with Portland police chief Bob Day, who has been criticized by conservative media for not taking a harsher stance against protesters. Johnson later claimed on social media that Day had “sided with violent ANTIFA militants,” a statement the Portland Police Bureau declined to comment on.
As Noem’s motorcade left the ICE site, a handful of protesters waved signs and shouted slogans. One wore a bear costume and a sombrero, symbolizing the mix of humor and resistance that has characterized the protests for months.
The secretary’s visit highlighted the growing divide between state officials and the federal government over how to handle demonstrations. While Noem and Trump continue to frame Portland as a city in chaos, local leaders insist the protests remain small, peaceful, and largely symbolic.
The Oregon governor and local officials have urged federal agencies to de-escalate, warning that using military-style tactics against civilians only deepens public distrust. As the standoff between state and federal authorities continues, Portland’s ICE facility has become a flashpoint for the broader debate about power, protest, and political narrative in the United States.
