Exclusive: DOJ looks into Portland Thorns incident showing female sports fans beaten and forcibly removed

The U.S. Department of Justice is examining a confrontation at a professional women’s soccer game in Portland, Oregon, after video captured female sports fans being forcibly escorted by stadium security after being hit with a flagpole by other spectators projecting pro-transgender messages.

“The Department of Justice is aware of these reports and will review the matter thoroughly. Where the facts and the law warrant action, the Department will not hesitate to act,” a department spokesperson told Fox News Digital.

Save Women’s Sports activists are surrounded by an agitated group of trans supporters after unfurling a large “Save Women’s Sports” banner and revealing XX-XY jerseys at a Portland Thorns game on Friday, October 23, 2026. (Kick)

A DOJ official said separately: “Based on what is known so far, the conduct described appears to raise issues of viewpoint and First Amendment discrimination rather than sex discrimination.” The ministry is currently reviewing it. »

ACTIVISTS EJECTED FROM FOOTBALL GAME AFTER ‘SAVE WOMEN’S SPORTS’ BANNER TRIGGERS PHYSICAL CLASH WITH PRO-TRANS FANS

The Portland Police Bureau also addressed the incident, saying two potential crimes had been reported.

“Off-duty PPB officers are regularly hired to work professional games and other events at various Portland venues, and there were several at the Thorns game last night. PPB officers were not involved in any evictions. They were called when some people refused to leave and lay down, blocking an exit. When asked by officers, the individuals agreed to leave. Outside, in an effort to promote public safety, officers separated two groups with opposing viewpoints for a short period of time,” Sergeant Kevin Allen told Fox News. Digital.

“Two potential crimes were reported, case numbers 26-309064 (alleged harassment) and 26-309306 (alleged vandalism). No one reported any injuries to police and no injuries were visible. No immediate arrests were made or summons to appear in court. The incidents are under investigation. The officers were carrying and activating BWCs in accordance with PPB policy.”

The showdown took place Friday in Portland’s game against the North Carolina Courage at Providence Park. About 20 spectators kept their XX-XY Athletics jerseys covered throughout the first half, then revealed them and unfurled a large “Save Women’s Sports” banner at the start of the second half.

Organizers included activist Amy Sousa and commentator Brandi Kruse, who previously helped organize rallies in support of WNBA player Sophie Cunningham.

WNBA FACES GROWING SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM MOVEMENT AS MORE GATHERINGS PLANNED FOR FEVER GAMES IN OREGON, MINNESOTA

Footage shows members of the group being hit with poles carrying transgender flags, confronted with profanities and physically removed by security.

Sousa told OutKick that she and other participants later filed police reports.

“We were attacked by fans. We were hit with flags,” she said.

Security held Kruse’s arm behind his back while escorting him through the stands. She wondered why her group was deleted after being attacked.

SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM SUPPORTERS OPEN TO MEETING WITH SECURITY AND PRO-TRANS FANS IN LATEST WNBA CULTURAL CLASH

OutKick reporter Matt Calkins also had his phone snatched from his hands and beer poured down his neck while documenting the confrontation. A security guard removed his badge from around his neck during an interview with Sousa, and returned it seconds later.

Security Director Jim McCausland said he didn’t have time to speak.

The Thorns’ stadium, Providence Park, is owned by the city of Portland and operated by Peregrine Sports, LLC, according to the city. The Thorns are separately owned by RAJ Sports. Portland’s Spectator Venues Program oversees the city’s interests in the stadium and its relationship with the operator.

Viewpoint discrimination generally involves the government restricting expression because of the particular opinion expressed. The Supreme Court usually prohibits such restrictions, pursuant to the Congressional Constitution Annotated.

Federal law also allows criminal prosecution under 18 USC § 242 when a person acting under color of law willfully deprives another person of a federally protected right.

The DOJ could examine whether city officials helped make or enforce decisions to remove fans because of their views. If officials, or private personnel acting with them, deliberately violated spectators’ constitutional rights, federal criminal prosecution could follow. The fact that the stadium is publicly owned does not in itself constitute a violation; government involvement in referrals would be a key issue.

The DOJ has not identified this law as the basis for its review or announced any charges in this case.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

OutKick contacted Thorns and stadium operator Peregrine Sports, as well as Portland city officials, for comment on the DOJ review and potential viewpoint discrimination and First Amendment concerns identified by a department official, but did not receive a response.

Matt Calkins of OutKick contributed to this report.