Independent journalist Cam Higby became the victim of a violent altercation on Friday at Union Station in Washington, D.C., an incident that has sparked concerns over the treatment of conservative reporters. Higby, known for his support of conservative causes and his wearing of a MAGA hat, was unexpectedly attacked by an unidentified individual who lunged at him, knocking him out of his chair. In response, Higby resorted to using mace to defend himself, leaving the assailant struggling to cope with its effects. The chaotic scene was captured on video but it remains unclear if law enforcement was engaged or if any arrests occurred at the time.
This incident in the nation's capital is not an isolated occurrence but part of a larger narrative of hostility and violence that conservative journalists face, particularly when covering protests. In a similar vein, the Department of Justice has opened a federal investigation into the Portland Police Bureau's actions following the arrest of another conservative journalist, Nick Sortor, outside an ICE facility in Portland, Oregon. Sortor was charged with second-degree disorderly conduct, although he claims he was targeted and assaulted by left-wing protesters, who also destroyed his camera equipment.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, leading the DOJ's Civil Rights Division, expressed concern over potential "viewpoint discrimination" by the Portland police. This was highlighted not only by Sortor's arrest but also by a separate incident involving journalist Katie Daviscourt. She suffered a violent attack while reporting, which resulted in significant injuries, yet no immediate arrests were made despite the identification of the assailant. These contrasting responses have raised questions about whether conservative journalists are being selectively targeted by law enforcement.
The DOJ's inquiry delves into the possibility that the Portland police may have exercised selective law enforcement and potentially interfered with federal immigration enforcement through local powers. The department has been asked to furnish comprehensive documentation, including body camera footage and internal reviews, by October 10.
Reacting to these allegations, Portland Police Chief Bob Day defended the actions of his officers. He outlined that the department's protest enforcement strategies are developed in collaboration with the DOJ itself, under the oversight established by a 2012 settlement over concerns of excessive force. Day firmly denied the influence of political bias in policing decisions.
These events underscore the precarious environment conservative journalists navigate in liberal-leaning cities and the potential disparities in law enforcement's response to disturbances involving left-wing and conservative individuals. The outcome of the DOJ investigation is anticipated to shed light on whether federal intervention is necessary to uphold viewpoint neutrality and safeguard journalists against targeted aggression.
