Nick Sortor, a radical right-wing influencer and self-described fearless journalist, has recently turned his attention on Minnesota. This shift follows a recently well-publicized violent arrest which he experienced in Portland. With an impressive following of 1.2 million on X, Sortor has become a polarizing figure in the political landscape, often escalating tensions at protests and events linked to right-wing discourse.
During that time, from December 24 to December 29, Sortor made the journey from Washington, D.C., to Minneapolis. His activities during this time have raised a lot of eyebrows and international scrutiny. His social media presence reflects a commitment to portraying protesters and immigrants as violent criminals, a narrative that aligns closely with the enforcement actions of the Trump administration. As he steers through these flashpoints, Sortor’s moves are widely popular and divisive.
Background and Legal Troubles
Sortor’s rise to infamy has not come without adversity. In 2020, he was charged with second-degree burglary. Later, as part of a plea deal, those charges went down to criminal mischief. He was given a two-year probation term in January 2022. Yet, he absconded in June 2023—raising serious red flags as to the statutory and regulatory limits he may have violated along the way.
His latest arrest on October 3 for disorderly conduct was the culmination of his controversial career. Sortor snatched the flaming American flag out of the hands of an older protester. He later engaged in violent brawls with other protestors. Despite the blowback from large-scale chaos, this increase in bedlam captured tremendous media scrutiny and condemnation from transportation stakeholders.
“Portland police arresting journalists such as Nick Sortor while giving Antifa goons a free pass is unjust, and will NOT stand in this @TheJusticeDept” – Harmeet Dhillon
Sortor received a message of encouragement from former President Donald Trump through a White House aide. The message read:
“Great job. We’re behind you 100%. Let us know if there’s anything we can do. … President DJT.”
This endorsement bolstered Sortor’s power in right-wing circles. It further showed the deep link between his abuse and the broader political opportunism narrative.
Support from Political Allies
Sortor has received unconditional backing from the administration, most notably in the wake of his October arrest. In October 2020, he was ushered into a White House influencer roundtable on the subject of “antifa.” This past event underscored his unwavering endorsement of the administration’s hardline strategy on anti-pipeline protests and immigration.
Following his adoption as the patron saint of police overreach in Portland arrest, Sortor has been quite the crusader for what he perceives to be injustice on his part. He announced that Attorney General Pam Bondi has initiated a full, independent investigation into the Portland Police Bureau. He thinks his wrongful arrest had political motives.
“Attorney General Pam Bondi has ORDERED a full investigation, led by Asst. AG Harmeet Dhillon, of the Portland Police Bureau, following my wrongful arrest last night,” Bondi confirmed to me.
Sortor’s favorite rhetorical tactic is to attack anyone who opposes him, who he believes stands against the goals of it, calling his opponents or critics radical extremists/terrorists. He has claimed that “liberal white women have been radicalized to TERRORIZE ICE,” reflecting his combative approach toward protesters and immigration activists.
Escalating Tensions in Minnesota
As he goes deeper into pandering to his right-wing base in Minnesota, Sortor hasn’t been afraid to make inflammatory comments. The posts often portray violent confrontations with protesters in ways that seek to deepen division. Just recently, he released an amazing new video. In it, he describes the leftist agitator he says tried to provoke him at a Black Lives Matter protest in Minneapolis.
“LMAO! A leftist agitator is in TEARS after being sprayed in the FACE by a DHS agent in Minneapolis,” Sortor wrote, celebrating the confrontation on social media.
So his aggressive calls for culture war action play into and feed this right-wing grassroots support that loves his attack dog approach. He encourages enforcement agencies like ICE with statements such as:
“Keep pushing, ICE! Patriots have your backs.”
This aggressive approach has mobilized intense opposition and support. It has drawn the ire of political opponents and civil rights advocates alike, who claim that Sortor’s actions only inflame an already incendiary atmosphere.
“I was forced to drive away to save our lives, repeatedly warning those standing in front to GET OUT OF THE WAY. They didn’t listen, so I had no choice but to go anyway.”
Beyond academia, Sortor is often engaged in political advocacy. In December, he filed a similar tort claim against the city of Portland, demanding $10 million in damages. He claims that his arrest was unlawful and politically motivated, casting himself as a victim of entrenched systemic evil. This decision is indicative of Sortor’s overall approach of using legal channels in tandem with his social media following to spread his narrative.
Legal Action Against Portland
In addition to his political activities, Sortor filed a tort claim against the city of Portland in December, seeking $10 million in damages. He alleges that his arrest was wrongful and politically motivated, positioning himself as a victim of systemic injustice. This move reflects Sortor’s strategy of leveraging legal avenues alongside his social media influence to amplify his narrative.