U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem looks down from the roof of the ICE facility in Portland, Oregon on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025, as conservative influencer, Nick Sortor, right, stands behind her with a cellphone. During her visit to Portland, Noem met with Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek and toured the ICE facility. (KATU)
PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited Portland on Tuesday and met with Mayor Keith Wilson, later telling Fox News that if the mayor did not meet certain federal security demands at the ICE facility, “we were going to send four times the amount of federal officers” to the city.
Noem’s comments to Fox’s Jesse Watters contrasted with a more restrained statement from Wilson Tuesday evening, which made no mention of any ultimatum.
“I continue to maintain that the tactics used by federal agents at the ICE facility are troubling and likely unconstitutional,” Wilson said. “Regarding recent rhetoric, we still do not know what ‘Full Force’ against Portland means, or how the administration plans to use our city as a military ‘training ground.’ Because of these deeply concerning situational unknowns, I intend to explore options to protect our community and our right to free expression.”
Portland Police Chief Bob Day, speaking at a news conference after meeting with Noem (which he said included Wilson), emphasized a collaborative approach to managing the protests outside the ICE facility in South Portland.
“There are clearly differences of opinion,” Day said. “I wouldn’t say that we’re all in alignment on every point, but I can say that we continue to be professionals, and we continue to strive for a shared value of safety.”
When asked about Noem’s Fox News remarks, a Portland Police Bureau spokesperson said in an email, “We’re going to let the Chief’s remarks at the news conference stand.” Requests for comment from Mayor Wilson were not immediately returned Tuesday night.
Noem arrived in Portland shortly before 11:30 a.m., toured the ICE facility, and briefly appeared on the roof alongside conservative influencer Nick Sortor, who was arrested last week during a protest but was not charged by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, which said disorderly conduct could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
In her interview with Watters, Noem accused Portland of leaving federal officers to “hang out to dry” outside the ICE facility. She expressed disappointment that Wilson had not committed to her requested security measures, including expanding a buffer zone around the building and reopening streets.
“He did not commit to any of those promises and said he would give me an answer by tomorrow, and I’m hopeful that he will,” Noem said. “I told him that if he did not follow through on some of these security measures for our officers, we were going to cover him up with more federal resources and send four times the amount of federal officers here.”
During her visit, Noem also met with Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, Multnomah County Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell, and Oregon State Police Superintendent Casey Codding.