Exclusive: DOJ reviewing Portland Thorns incident showing women’s sports supporters struck, forcibly removed
The U.S. Department of Justice is reviewing a confrontation at a professional women's soccer match in Portland, Oregon after video captured women’s sports supporters forcibly escorted out by stadium security after being struck with a flagpole by other spectators projecting pro-transgender messaging.
"The Justice Department 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.
A DOJ official separately said, "Based on what is known so far, the conduct described appears to raise viewpoint discrimination and First Amendment questions rather than sex discrimination. The Department is reviewing it."
The Portland Police Bureau has also addressed the incident, saying two potential crimes have been reported.
"Off duty PPB officers are routinely hired to work at professional games and other events at various venues in Portland, and there were several at the Thorns game last night. PPB officers were not involved in any removals. They were called in when some individuals were refusing to leave and laying down, blocking an exit. When asked by police officers, the individuals agreed to leave. Outside, in an effort to promote public safety, officers did separate two groups with opposing viewpoints for a short time," Sergeant Kevin Allen told Fox News Digital.
"Two potential crimes were reported, case numbers 26-309064 (alleged harassment) 26-309306 (alleged vandalism). No one reported any injuries to police, and no injuries were visible. No immediate arrests were made or citations issued. The incidents are under investigation. Officers were wearing and activated BWCs according to PPB policy."
The confrontation unfolded Friday during Portland’s match against the North Carolina Courage at Providence Park. Approximately 20 spectators kept their XX-XY Athletics shirts covered through the first half, then revealed them and unfurled a large "Save Women’s Sports" banner as the second half began.
The organizers included activist Amy Sousa and commentator Brandi Kruse, who previously helped organize rallies supporting WNBA player Sophie Cunningham.
Footage documented members of the group being struck with flagpoles carrying transgender flags, confronted with profanity and physically removed by security.
Sousa told OutKick that she and other attendees filed police reports afterward.
"We were attacked by fans. We were hit with flags," she said.
Security restrained Kruse’s arm behind her back while escorting her through the stands. She questioned why her group was being removed after being attacked.
OutKick reporter Matt Calkins also had his phone knocked from his hand and beer poured on his neck while documenting the confrontation. A security guard pulled his credential from around his neck during an interview with Sousa, returning it seconds later.
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Security director Jim McCausland said he did not have time to speak.
The Thorns' home stadium of Providence Park is owned by the City of Portland and operated by Peregrine Sports, LLC, according to the city. The Thorns are owned separately 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 ordinarily prohibits such restrictions, according to Congress's Constitution Annotated.
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Federal law also allows criminal prosecution under 18 U.S.C. § 242 when someone acting under color of law willfully deprives another person of a federally protected right.
The DOJ could examine whether city officials helped set or enforce the decisions to remove the fans because of their views. If officials, or private staff acting with them, willfully violated spectators’ constitutional rights, federal criminal charges could follow. The stadium’s public ownership alone does not establish a violation; the government’s involvement in the removals would be a key question.
The DOJ has not identified that statute as the basis for its review or announced charges in this matter.
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OutKick has reached out to the Thorns and stadium operator Peregrine Sports, as well as Portland city officials, for comment on DOJ’s review and the potential viewpoint discrimination and First Amendment concerns identified by a department official, but has not received a response.
OutKick's Matt Calkins contributed to this report.