Federal Judge Ties ICE’s Hands As Portland Riots Continue

PORTLAND, OR - In a shocking turn of events, an Obama-appointed liberal activist judge has just blocked a federal agency from effectively doing its job. 

According to a recent report from The Post Millenial, Michael H. Simon, U.S. District Judge for the state of Oregon, has just ruled in favor of group of protestors who recently sued the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) who claim federal agenda violated their First Amendment rights by deploying crowd-control measures during their demonstrations outside an Oregon ICE facility.

By “crowd-control measures,” I mean pepper spray, tear gas, pepper balls, flash-bang grenades, and rubber bullets. And by “protestors,” I mean rioters. And by “demonstrations,” I mean riots. 

The exact wording of the preliminary injunction is that federal officers are prohibited from using chemical or projectile munitions against protestors unless they pose an “imminent threat of physical harm” to officers.

Likewise, nothing can be fired at an individual’s “head, neck, or body” unless the situation “warrants lethal force.”

Not like they’ve caused imminent threat of physical harm at this facility before. Oh wait, they cause havoc on a weekly basis. This is Portland. 

Another caveat is that chemical munitions nor projectiles can be used against individuals for “just” trespassing on ICE property. 

Basically, if violent antifa thugs gather on the premises, you have to either sit on your hands and wait for them to leave, or wait until they inevitably become violent against officers, at which point you now respond with lethal force instead of dispersing the crowd with less-harmful methods. Because there are days, and days, and days of reports of protestors refusing lawful orders to vacate the premises.

Beautiful strategy, Simon.

One thing is certain: the local police will be of no help. Not when Portland's crybaby police chief Bob Day is on camera literally crying over Venezuelan Tren de Aragua members getting shot.

Judge Simon justified the injunction by arguing that the protesters’ First Amendment rights were being violated by federal agents’ use of crowd-control measures during demonstrations outside the facility.

“In a well-functioning constitutional democratic republic, free speech, courageous newsgathering, and nonviolent protest are all permitted, respected, and even celebrated,” Simon wrote. “In an authoritarian regime, that is not the case. Our nation is now at a crossroads.”

Well Mr. Simon, we at Law Enforcement Today would all agree. Using violence to get your way is the cornerstone of an authoritarian regime. Yet another case of the “antifascists” being blatantly fascist. 

Did we mention the dishonorable Judge Simon is married to Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici? Democratic congresswoman who has repeatedly criticized ICE operations and federal immigration enforcement policies. No conflict of interest there, surely.

Attorneys for the United States Department of Justice pointed to repeated incidents in which agitators allegedly attacked the building, blocked federal vehicles, and assaulted agents during demonstrations that have continued since mid-2025. 

Federal prosecutors also noted that more than 30 protesters have already been federally charged or convicted in connection with attacks on the Portland ICE facility, including allegations of arson, assault on federal officers, and destruction of government property.

Several defendants face potential sentences of more than two decades in federal prison if convicted on the most serious charges.

Despite Judge Simon’s ruling, the Department of Justice has already announced it will appeal the injunction, arguing that the restrictions could endanger federal officers and limit their ability to defend federal property during violent demonstrations that have repeatedly targeted the facility.

As anyone with two eyes can see, federal officers stationed at the Portland ICE facility face constant threats from organized demonstrators. Crowd-control tools are necessary to protect officer’s lives, so unless Judge Simon wants protestors to get themselves shot, maybe he should sit this one out.