White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt sparred [1] with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins during a heated exchange Monday in the Brady Press Briefing Room after Collins questioned President Donald Trump’s decision to send the National Guard to Portland, Oregon.
“Who are the officials who you can point to that have said, ‘We need the national guard,’ because I spoke to the police chief last week, and he said that the president’s claims just don’t match up with what is going on on the ground?” Collins asked.
Leavitt responded sharply, urging Collins to visit the city herself.
“I would encourage you as a reporter to go on the ground and to take a look at it for yourself because there’s been many members of the press, not press in this room, but independent journalists, some of whom we’ll be inviting to the White House very soon to share their stories because they have been in the middle of these riots and they have witnessed the anarchy that is taking place night after night,” Leavitt said, referencing the recent attack on conservative journalist Nick Sortor.
“It’s on video. You should play it on your show,” she added.
“You have a great opportunity in primetime on CNN to show your audience, but you’re probably talking to partisan Democrat officials who are opposed to everything this president does. You should also ask the people who live in Portland. We’ve actually heard from many members of the community who have said that this is complete civil disobedience.”
Leavitt continued, “It’s a mess. It’s been loud. It’s been troubling for neighbors in the community who are just trying to live peacefully. These people are not there to peacefully protest. They are there to cause mayhem and havoc.”
Karoline Leavitt rips into CNN’s Kaitlan Collins for taking the position that the National Guard isn’t needed in Portland.
“I’d encourage you as a reporter to go on the ground and take a look yourself… you’re probably talking to partisan Democrat officials…” pic.twitter.com/LruZQI2pBB [2]
— Media Research Center (@theMRC) October 6, 2025 [3]
The exchange followed escalating unrest in Portland, where the U.S. Justice Department announced an investigation into the Portland Police Bureau’s handling of violent riots targeting federal property and agents.
The department’s inquiry focuses on what it described as “questionable practices” surrounding the city’s response to sustained attacks on federal buildings.
The announcement came hours after conservative journalist Nick Sortor was arrested by Portland Police despite being attacked by far-left demonstrators.
Reminder….
The Antifa thug that punched journalist Katie Daviscourt in the face was not arrested by Portland PD but Journalist Nick Sortor was arrested by Portland PD.
We have a major problem in Portland. pic.twitter.com/sTN49lzvpf [4]
— C3 (@C_3C_3) October 3, 2025 [5]
Video from the incident showed Sortor being surrounded by a mob that damaged his equipment before he was charged with disorderly conduct.
Tomorrow at 2pm PT, I will be arraigned in Portland for “Disorderly Conduct II”
I will NOT take a plea deal of any kind. Because I did NOTHING wrong. I will fight this until the end, and expose Portland Police in the process
THIS is the altercation that I’m *supposedly* being… pic.twitter.com/dzcDWWE3os [6]
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) October 5, 2025 [7]
He was later released.
Sortor’s arrest drew criticism from supporters and journalists who have covered Portland’s ongoing unrest.
His case follows an assault on reporter Katie Daviscourt, who was struck with a metal pole while documenting street violence in the city.
The incident, captured on video, occurred in the presence of a nearby police officer.
Daviscourt has frequently covered Antifa-related demonstrations and far-left activity in the Pacific Northwest.
The Portland Police Bureau later said one of its “dialogue liaison officers” — sworn officers responsible for “holding a safe space” for protesters — attempted to engage the female suspect involved in Daviscourt’s assault to “hear her side of the story.”
According to a department release, the woman was described as white, wearing a black mask and carrying a backpack.
The officer reportedly “lost track” of the suspect after the interaction.
NEW: Post Millennial Journalist @KatieDaviscourt [8] got a BLACK-EYE from TRANTIFA and she says PORTLAND PD REFUSED to ARREST the attacker
“I ran straight to a Portland police officer. I tracked the suspect for 35 minutes through the streets and told them, “This is the person… pic.twitter.com/gFcISeVNdE [9]
— Jesse Watters (@JesseBWatters) October 2, 2025 [10]
The recent attacks on independent journalists have renewed debate over the treatment of reporters covering political unrest.
While federal authorities have increased scrutiny of violent activity targeting federal facilities, Portland officials have faced criticism for what some view as inconsistent enforcement and protection of those documenting the events.
The Department of Justice has not yet released details of its findings regarding the police bureau’s conduct but confirmed that the investigation remains active.