CNN has had a checkered history with the truth. That fact is especially true in their reporting of Donald Trump.
And now the White House Press Secretary calls out a CNN reporter in front of everyone.
White House Briefing Spotlights Portland Protest Coverage
In a White House press briefing on October 6, 2025, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt pressed CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins to verify reports on Portland, Oregon, protests through direct observation, amid President Donald Trump’s proposal to deploy National Guard troops.
The exchange highlighted tensions over demonstrations targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities, where federal agents have faced nightly confrontations.
Portland saw renewed clashes on October 5 and 6, with protesters gathering outside the ICE detention center on South Macadam Avenue.
Local police arrested two individuals on Sunday for harassment and assault during the events. Earlier, on October 4, about 400 demonstrators marched against potential Guard involvement, resulting in three arrests after federal agents used tear gas and pepper spray.
Key Moments in the Exchange
Collins challenged the deployment’s necessity, citing Portland Police Chief Bob Day. “I spoke to the police chief of Portland last week. He said that the president’s claims just don’t match up with what’s happening on the ground,” she said, asking if Leavitt had heard from Guard supporters.
Leavitt advocated for firsthand accounts: “I would encourage you, as a reporter, to go on the ground and to take a look for yourself… independent journalists… have been in the middle of these riots, and they have witnessed the anarchy that is taking place night after night. It’s on video!” She noted plans to host such reporters at the White House.
When Collins interjected about airing footage on CNN, Leavitt suggested her sources might be biased: “You’re probably talking to partisan Democrat officials who are opposed to everything this president does.”
She urged speaking to affected residents, adding of protesters, “These people are not there to peacefully protest, they are there to cause mayhem and havoc.”
The clip, shared by Collins on X, drew over 1,900 likes and mixed reactions.
Broader Context and Legal Developments
The unrest builds on Portland’s protest history, including 2018 ICE office closures and 2020 courthouse attacks during Black Lives Matter actions. Trump has called the city “war-torn,” arguing disruptions justify Guard aid.
However, U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut blocked the deployment on October 6 until October 18, finding insufficient evidence of severe hindrance. The Justice Department appealed to the 9th Circuit.
On October 2, journalist Nick Sortor’s arrest at a protest led to a DOJ probe into Portland police bias. Oregon officials report only 25 citywide arrests in June 2025, with none since.
