Portland Mayor Demands ICE Leave the City After Federal Agents Tear-Gas Protesters
Mayor Keith Wilson condemns federal actions after tear gas and pepper balls deployed at a peaceful demonstration, including children.
Portland, Oregon’s mayor Keith Wilson has issued a strong public demand that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) withdraw from the city after federal agents deployed tear gas, pepper balls, and rubber bullets at protesters — including young children in strollers — during a weekend demonstration outside an ICE facility. The mayor and others have described the protest as peaceful and non-violent before the federal response. �
The Guardian +1
What Happened at the Protest
On Saturday, January 31, 2026, thousands of demonstrators gathered at the South Waterfront ICE facility in Portland as part of a nationwide wave of protests against immigration policies. �
The Guardian
Witnesses reported that the protest had been peaceful, with no major disorder, when federal agents began deploying chemical agents and force against the crowd. �
Bangor Daily News
A former OregonLive reporter, Erin Hoover Barnett, told media that she was about 100 yards away when agents began dousing the crowd with gas, causing panic among adults and children trying to seek safety. �
Bangor Daily News
Local paramedics were called to treat people affected by the tear gas, while Portland police monitored the scene but made no arrests. �
The Guardian
Mayor Wilson’s Response
Mayor Wilson strongly condemned the federal actions, characterising them as an unjustified and harmful use of force against a non-violent crowd. He said that:
The majority of those present “violated no laws, made no threat, and posed no danger.” �
Bangor Daily News
He called on ICE employees to resign and for ICE operations in Portland to end completely.
In a written statement, Wilson said the use of violence had “trampled the Constitution” and that federal agents had “lost all legitimacy and replaced it with shame.” �
Portland.gov
He also announced that Portland will move to impose fees on detention facilities that use chemical agents, under a law recently passed by the city to hold such entities accountable. �
Portland.gov
Broader Context: Protests and Federal Enforcement
This weekend’s Portland protest is part of a broader national surge in demonstrations against the Biden administration’s immigration enforcement policies. Similar protests have taken place in cities across the United States, often drawing clashes between federal agents and local demonstrators. �
The Guardian
In some other Oregon cities—such as Eugene—federal agents also deployed tear gas when protesters attempted to enter federal buildings, prompting local authorities to declare riots and order dispersals. �
The Guardian
Federal Government’s Position
President Donald Trump (current as of early 2026) responded on social media, stating that local law enforcement has the primary responsibility for policing protests in their cities, but he also said he instructed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to ensure federal agents vigorously protect federal property. He warned that there would be no tolerance for attacks on federal personnel or property. �
Inquirer.com
This stance underscores ongoing tensions between federal enforcement priorities and local authorities over public safety and protest management.
Impact on Community and Immigrant Neighbors
Mayor Wilson emphasised that Portland stands with its immigrant communities and that federal tactics undermined public trust and safety. His office said it was gathering evidence of the federal response and preparing to enforce local ordinances aimed at safeguarding residents from what it views as excessive federal force. �
Portland.gov
Local officials also noted that the ICE facility includes immigration processing functions and that its presence — and the federal response to protests — raises longstanding questions about the role of federal agencies in local communities.
Local Government Actions
In addition to demanding that ICE leave Portland:
The city council urged the mayor to take decisive action after federal use of chemical agents allegedly violated local codes. �
Axios
Portland is moving forward with an ordinance to charge fees on detention centers using such agents, reflecting growing resistance to federal tactics. �
Portland.gov
Why This Matters
This incident highlights ongoing national debates over:
The balance of authority between local governments and federal agencies
Appropriate responses to peaceful protests, especially involving families and children
The role of ICE in enforcement and local community relations
Portland’s mayor’s demand that ICE leave the city illustrates how contentious these issues have become and could set a precedent for other cities facing similar conflicts. �
The Guardian
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Todd Blanche Says Review of Jeffrey Epstein Sex-Trafficking Case “Is Over”
A major announcement from the U.S. Department of Justice has stirred fresh controversy in the long-running saga of the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. On February 1, 2026, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche — who has overseen the release of millions of pages of documents in the case — declared that the review of Epstein’s sex-trafficking files is “over” and that prosecutors will not be pursuing additional charges based on the material that has been collected so far. � The Guardian +1 Blanche’s remarks came amid a flurry of newly released records and fierce criticism from survivors’ advocates and lawmakers who argue that the department has failed to fully comply with transparency requirements and has missed opportunities to hold powerful individuals accountable. � The Guardian What Blanche Actually Said In televised interviews and public statements this weekend, Todd Blanche made clear that the internal Justice Department review of Epstein-related material — including emails, photographs, videos, and case files — has concluded, and that federal prosecutors do not see a legal basis for new criminal charges arising from the released records. � 95.5 WSB Blanche said that while the files contain “a lot of correspondence,” “emails,” and even “horrible photographs,” the existence of disturbing material alone does not establish grounds for prosecution without solid evidence that could stand in court. “Victims want to be made whole,” he said, “but that doesn’t mean we can just create evidence or come up with a case that isn’t there.” � Las Vegas Review-Journal He also stressed that the Justice Department has reviewed millions of documents — over six million pages, tens of thousands of images, and thousands of videos — and determined that nothing in those materials justified new indictments against additional individuals. � 95.5 WSB What This Means for Epstein and Maxwell’s Case Epstein himself died in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. His close associate Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted in 2021 and is serving a lengthy prison sentence for her role in the sex-trafficking scheme. � AP News The newly completed review was conducted under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a law passed by Congress that requires the federal government to release a vast collection of investigative records related to Epstein and Maxwell. Tens of thousands of pages, images, and videos have been released in recent weeks, with more material published under the law’s deadlines. � Al Jazeera Blanche and other DOJ officials have maintained that the department is fulfilling its legal obligations and releasing as much material as possible, while withholding only items that contain victim identifiers, privileged legal material, or content that could jeopardize ongoing investigations. � AP News Public and Political Reaction Blanche’s announcement that the internal review is finished and that no new charges are pending has drawn sharp rebukes from survivors’ advocates, lawmakers, and legal observers. Survivors and attorneys have argued that the released files still contain uncensored details of alleged abuse and connections with influential people, while the men who may have enabled or benefited from Epstein’s network remain unnamed or uncharged. Some survivors described the document release as “reckless” because it unintentionally exposed victim identities and fell short of full transparency. � The Guardian On Capitol Hill, Democratic lawmakers have openly expressed frustration with the pace and scope of the disclosure. Representative Ro Khanna, a co-sponsor of the transparency law, said in interviews that the department has only released “at best half” of the documents and that survivors remain unhappy with the handling of sensitive information. � The Guardian House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other congressional critics have echoed the sentiment that the DOJ’s work is not truly complete and that further disclosures or legal action may be necessary before accountability is achieved. � The Guardian Why Some Lawyers and Advocates Are Angry Many survivors’ attorneys argue that a thorough, independent review should continue because: Redaction errors have exposed some victims’ names despite DOJ promises to protect their identities. � The Wall Street Journal Released material has included problematic references to powerful figures, raising questions about accountability. � News24 Survivors feel that even millions of pages of documents may only scratch the surface of what actually exists. � The Guardian In response to incomplete redactions, the DOJ has taken some files offline and said it will correct errors, but advocates say the damage has already been done. � The Wall Street Journal Does “This Review Is Over” Mean the Investigation Is Truly Finished? 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Transparency or Continued Dispute The Epstein files release is ongoing, with millions of pages already public and more expected over coming months. Congress and courts may also play a role if lawmakers press for unredacted disclosures or judicial oversight of the remaining documents. Some legal experts believe future developments could arise through: Civil litigation by survivors or victims’ families. Special master or court supervision of remaining redactions. Congressional inquiries into unresolved questions about the scope of the files. Meanwhile, the political debate over what the documents reveal — and what remains hidden — is likely to continue long after Blanche’s declaration that “the review is over.” Critics argue that without broader accountability, the public may never fully understand the extent of Epstein’s network or the role of those connected to him. � News24
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