Oct. 7 (UPI) — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Tuesday visited the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Portland, Ore., that’s been at the center of the Trump administration’s efforts to send federal troops to the city.
Noem’s visit comes days after a federal judge issued two separate rulings blocking the Trump administration from sending federal troops to Portland, stating that nightly protests outside the facility did not amount to a rebellion.
Accompanying Noem were conservative social media influencers who posted videos documenting her trip. Those videos included Noem confronting undocumented immigrants, who had been taken into custody by immigration authorities; blessing a meal from local chain Burgerville; and standing on top of the roof of the ICE facility, which President Donald Trump has likened to a “war zone.”
The video, posted by conservative media personality Benny Johnson, shows dozens of protesters gathered by the fence with some jeering as the Benny Hill theme song plays in the background. When Noem is asked about the protesters, particularly one wearing a chicken costume, she said her goal is for people to peacefully protest while the law is enforced.
“It’s too bad they are uneducated and ill informed,” she said.
Homeland Security’s X account has posted videos of overnight clashes between protesters and federal agents. Portland City Attorney Robert Taylor has accused federal agents of using excessive force against protesters.
Oregon’s state and local officials have pushed back against the Trump administration’s plans to send federal troops to the city, calling it an overreach that will inflame the situation.
Gov. Tina Kotek said in a statement that she met with Noem at the Portland airport shortly after her arrival and reiterated “that there is no insurrection in Oregon.”
“I requested that Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents obey Oregon laws when they engage in federal operations,” Kotek said. “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.”
Later that evening, Noem said in a Fox News interview that she “was extremely disappointed” after meeting with Portland Mayor Keith Wilson. She said that if Wilson did not protect federal officers they would send four times the number of federal officers to the city.
