PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited Portland on Tuesday for a tour of the city’s ICE facility and a meeting with Gov. Tina Kotek.
Noem arrived at the Portland International Airport at about 11:20 a.m. and held then met with Kotek.
READ MORE | Conversations over confrontations at ICE facility on Monday night
The governor said she once again stated that there isn’t an insurrection in the state and pointed to the recent decisions from a federal judge that there isn’t a legal basis for deploying the military in Portland.
“I reiterated that I continue to be focused on doing whatever I can to protect Oregonians from military intervention or harmful federal law enforcement tactics,” Kotek said in a statement. (You can read her full statement below.)
Following the meeting, Kotek told CNN she was glad Noem came to Portland so she can see what’s really happening in the city.
Portland Police Chief Bob Day spoke with Sec. Noem during her visit, later sharing his takeaways from their conversations:
President Donald Trump ordered National Guard troops to Portland, calling it a “war zone.” Along with the governor other Oregon leaders have argued the troops are not needed in Portland. Over the weekend, a federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deploying the National Guard.
“It’s really important to understand that this isn’t just about Democratic-led states or Democratic-led cities,” Kotek said on CNN. “What is happening here when the federal government without real facts, and the court has said there are no facts on the ground to justify this, is talking about putting military troops in American cities. It is crossing a line.”
Shortly before Noem’s arrival at PDX, the Portland Police Bureau closed off streets surrounding the ICE building at South Macadam Avenue and Bancroft Street.
Our news crews and others in the area said there were no arrests made when police closed off the blocks around the building.
During the tour, Noem and others made a brief appearance on the roof of the building. Her appearance was met with heckling and loud music from protesters below.
Noem’s motorcade left the ICE facility at about 3 p.m.
During the visit, Noem spoke with PPB Chief Bob Day, Oregon State Police Superintendent Casey Codding and Multnomah County Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell. Details about their discussion were not made public.
Conservative commentator Benny Johnson posted on his Instagram early this morning that he was coming to interview Noem at the ICE facility in South Portland.
Johnson posted on X a video of her arrival at the facility:
Protests Continue Outside ICE Facility
There was a larger than normal protester presence at the ICE facility Tuesday afternoon.
Helena, who declined to give her full name, said her presence is a testament to the First Amendment.
“In the United States, we have the right to protest the excesses and abuses of our government,” she said. “I am here to ensure that we continue to have those rights.”
She said she believes protests have been mostly nonviolent and she does not see the need for troop deployment to Portland. She questioned Noem’s motives for the visit.
“I don’t know why she’s down here. I mean, it seems like she’ll be able to see for herself that Portland isn’t the war zone that the administration is claiming it is,” she said.
Across the street a smaller and less vocal group of counter-protesters also gathered.
Natalie Bermudez said she welcomes troops in Portland and hopes they will clean up the streets downtown.
“I’m just really tired and sick of seeing Portland, which was once a very beautiful city, which I could go at night skateboarding all through downtown. It’s terrifying down there. It really is. It’s scary. It’s broken down. I mean, there’s drugs all over the street.There’s homeless people taking over the roads,” she said.
You can read the statement from the City of Portland below:
“We are aware that Secretary Noem is visiting the Portland area. Although the City received notice of her visit, we do not have full details about her agenda.
In the interest of public safety, Portland Police will provide the same routine support they would for any visiting dignitary. This protects our community, by making sure our roads and public spaces stay safe.
Consistent with Portland’s sanctuary city status, our local police will not support any federal immigration enforcement activities.
We urge Portlanders to continue to remain safe. Recent court decisions have affirmed that Portland does not need federal military intervention, and that our local public-safety approach stands on firm legal ground.”
Oregon Senator Ron Wyden issued a statement talking about Sec. Noem visiting Portland:
“Kristi Noem is cosplaying as a public official. In reality, she’s been sent by Trump to incite violence. Don’t tar and feather her as Speaker Johnson suggested for Governor Newsom. The best response to her playacting as cop? Ignore her and keep supporting the members of our community.”
Oregon Gov. Kotek issued the following statement after meeting with Secretary Noem:
“Today, in my meeting with Secretary Noem, I reiterated again that there is no insurrection in Oregon. Twice now, a federal judge has affirmed that there is no legal basis for military deployment in Portland. I was clear that I have confidence in local law enforcement to meet the moment.
“I requested that Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents obey Oregon laws when they engage in federal operations. I reiterated that I continue to be focused on doing whatever I can to protect Oregonians from military intervention or harmful federal law enforcement tactics. Oregon is united against military policing in our communities.”
This is a developing story, updates will be posted.
