Overview

• Demonstrators in inflatable animal suits — led by a now-viral “Portland Frog” — are staging playful, nonviolent rallies outside the South Portland ICE site to counter claims of violent unrest.
• Video shows a federal officer directing pepper spray into the frog suit’s air intake; outlets have identified the protester as Seth Todd, who says the costume strategy uses humor to rebut depictions of extremism.
• Local coverage documented officers firing pepper balls when people moved close to personnel, even as reporters described multiple nights as uneventful with small, largely calm gatherings.
• Internal Federal Protective Services reports described recent activity near the ICE building as “low energy,” contradicting the president’s portrayal of Portland as war‑ravaged.
• A Trump-appointed federal judge, Karin Immergut, blocked the National Guard deployment to Portland, while a right‑wing “unmasking” of the frog protester drew criticism for sensational claims not tied to violent acts.