Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem made headlines after appearing at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Portland, Oregon.
DHS Secretary Appears in Portland Amid Protests
A video posted online showed Noem standing on the rooftop of the ICE building, looking down at a small group of protesters. The footage was shared by MAGA influencer Benny Johnson, who described the crowd as an “army of Antifa.”
The video quickly spread across social media. In it, Johnson can be heard saying, “DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stares down army of Antifa and a guy in a chicken suit from the rooftop of the ICE facility here in Portland!” Johnson added jokingly, “Noem isn’t chicken,” referencing one of the protesters dressed in a full chicken costume.
The protest outside the ICE facility was part of ongoing demonstrations against federal immigration policies and the Trump administration’s decision to deploy National Guard troops into Portland. The facility has often been a center of nightly protests, with demonstrators criticizing government actions they see as unconstitutional.
Noem’s Response and Reactions From the Scene
During the livestream, Johnson asked Secretary Noem if she had a message for the person in the chicken outfit. Smiling, Noem replied, “Man in the chicken outfit? I just see him now. Goodness sakes. You can do better.” She also called the protesters “uneducated and ill-informed,” a comment that quickly drew mixed reactions online.
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Animal costumes have become a recurring theme in Portland’s protests. In addition to the person in the chicken suit seen on October 3, witnesses reported another protester dressed as a frog being pepper-sprayed by ICE officers. These unusual costumes have become symbols of creativity and humor in a movement that has often faced tense confrontations with law enforcement.
Elsewhere in Portland, a group of senior citizens attracted attention by performing the song “This Land Is Your Land” on ukuleles as part of their own peaceful protest. Their performance went viral on social media and was widely praised for its calm and positive tone amid the otherwise charged atmosphere surrounding the demonstrations.
Despite the dramatic language used by some conservative commentators, including Johnson, the video of Noem’s appearance showed only a handful of demonstrators—far fewer than described in his post. The limited turnout led to criticism from online observers who felt the “army of Antifa” description was exaggerated.
Democratic strategist Adam Parkhomenko commented on X (formerly Twitter), “LOL there’s like eight people there!” Attorney Ben Yelin also pushed back on the portrayal of Portland as chaotic, saying, “Even this pure Goebbels-style propaganda gives us enough information to know that Portland is not a war zone.”
Protests, Arrests, and Local Officials’ Concerns
The events at the ICE facility come amid broader protests across Portland, where residents continue to demonstrate against federal involvement in local law enforcement. While some nights have seen minor clashes, city officials have insisted that the majority of demonstrations have remained peaceful.
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Some arrests have occurred, including that of conservative activist Nick Sortor, who was detained for getting into a fight with two protesters outside the ICE facility. Sortor was released after a few hours, but the incident drew attention online as part of the ongoing tension between protesters and federal agents.
City officials have criticized the federal government’s response to the protests. Portland City Attorney Robert Taylor wrote to the U.S. Department of Justice accusing federal officers of using excessive and unconstitutional force against demonstrators. Taylor argued that such actions violated the Fourth Amendment, which protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures, and the First Amendment, which guarantees the right to peaceful assembly.
In his letter, Taylor questioned whether the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division still upheld constitutional protections, writing, “Does the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice care about the Constitution anymore?”
Despite strong rhetoric from both sides, the situation in Portland during Noem’s visit appeared relatively calm. While protesters expressed their frustrations through costumes and creative performances, officials at the ICE facility maintained their presence to ensure order.
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The footage from Benny Johnson’s video, showing Secretary Noem looking down at the protesters from the rooftop, became a symbol of the ongoing divide in perceptions between federal authorities and local residents. For some, it represented federal resolve; for others, it showed unnecessary dramatization of a small, peaceful protest.
As of now, the Portland demonstrations continue to attract attention for their unique blend of humor, activism, and debate over government power. The appearance of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem added another layer to the city’s long-running confrontation with federal agencies.
