{"id":2543612,"date":"2026-01-19T12:59:01","date_gmt":"2026-01-19T17:59:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fbi-responds-to-theft-of-journalists-camera-by-activists-in-mn\/"},"modified":"2026-01-19T13:08:14","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T18:08:14","slug":"fbi-responds-to-theft-of-journalists-camera-by-activists-in-mn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fbi-responds-to-theft-of-journalists-camera-by-activists-in-mn\/","title":{"rendered":"FBI responds to theft of journalist&#8217;s camera by activists in MN"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ffbi-responds-to-theft-of-journalists-camera-by-activists-in-mn%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2543612&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Overview: Federal authorities are investigating an incident in Minneapolis in which conservative journalist Nick Sortor says a protester grabbed his camera, fled in a car, and dragged him down the street as he tried to recover the equipment. Video posted by Sortor and filmed by fellow journalist Cam Higby shows a woman taking the camera outside Riverside Plaza, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/video-brown-univ-president-drops-astonishing-claim-on-missing-cameras-that-absolutely-no-one-believes\/\" title=\"Video: Brown Univ. President Drops Astonishing Claim on Missing ...s That Absolutely No One Believes\">large complex<\/a>, followed by a scuffle and footage of Sortor holding a car door as the vehicle accelerated; he later displayed severe bruising and said about $1,000 in equipment was stolen. The FBI reposted the footage on X with the comment &#8220;We&#8217;re on it,&#8221; and the agency has requested agents from field offices to assist amid heightened unrest. Minneapolis police have not announced arrests and it is indeed unclear whether a report was filed. Sortor, who livestreams protests and has previously been arrested while covering demonstrations, said he and his crew had been followed by protesters; critics say his presence frequently enough draws confrontations. The <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >episode occurred amid broader tensions<\/a> over ICE enforcement in the city after the fatal shooting of Renee Good, prompting increased federal attention, Pentagon readiness of 1,500 troops, and a Justice Department civil-rights probe into protests that disrupted a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/former-seal-sets-dem-reverend-straight-after-he-mocked-armed-churchgoers\/\" title=\"Former SEAL Sets Dem Reverend Straight After He Mocked Armed Churchgoers\">church service<\/a>.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">FBI responds to theft of conservative journalist&rsquo;s camera by activists in Minneapolis<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2475252\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>The&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/fbi\/\">FBI<\/a>&nbsp;on Sunday signaled it is looking into a&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/minneapolis\/\">Minneapolis<\/a>&nbsp;confrontation in which conservative journalist&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3835788\/doj-investigation-wrongful-arrest-conservative-influencer-nick-sortor-portland\/\">Nick Sortor<\/a> alleged a protester stole his camera and dragged him down the street with a car as he tried to recover it.<\/p>\n<p>Shortly after Sortor posted video of the incident to X on Sunday, an account affiliated with the FBI <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/FBI_Response\/status\/2013045446545989955\">reposted<\/a> the footage with the message &ldquo;We&rsquo;re on it,&rdquo; signaling <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/jake-tapper-notes-hunter-biden-investigation-lara-trump-fires-glad-you-finally-figured-that-out\/\" title=\"Jake Tapper Notes Hunter Biden Investigation; Lara Trump Fires: \u2018Glad You Finally Figured That Out\u2019\">federal authorities<\/a> were aware of the allegations. The violent incident marked one of several that took place in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/minnesota\/\">Minnesota<\/a> on Sunday amid the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/trump-administration\/\">Trump administration&rsquo;s<\/a> immigration crackdown, known as &ldquo;Operation Metro Surge,&rdquo; in Minneapolis.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4422670\/utah-county-accuses-tyler-robinson-legal-team-ambush-effort-disqualify-prosecutors\/\">Utah County accuses Tyler Robinson legal team of &#8216;ambush&#8217; effort to disqualify prosecutors<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/4422261\/kamala-harris-cites-renee-good-killing-mlk-day-speech-chicago\/\">Harris cites Renee Good killing in MLK Day speech: &lsquo;Sick and tired&rsquo;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4422137\/trump-to-pardon-former-puerto-rico-governor-convicted-corruption-charges\/\">Trump to pardon former Puerto Rico governor convicted on corruption charges<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The chaotic encounter unfolded as Sortor, a right-leaning social media personality known for livestreaming <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/protests\/\">protests<\/a>, was driving down Riverside Plaza, a large tenement-style complex known for housing members of the Somali community in Minneapolis. In the video filmed by fellow conservative journalist Cam Higby, a woman is seen approaching the vehicle and appears to grab a camera directly from his hands.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;What did she just do?&rdquo; Higby asks as his car comes to a stop.<\/p>\n<p>Sortor then jumps out and chases after the alleged thief, who he later said made off with roughly $1,000 worth of equipment. A brief scuffle occurs on the roadway, partially obscured from view in the footage.<\/p>\n<p>Moments later, the alleged thief is seen getting into a car and attempting to flee. Footage shows Sortor clinging to the driver&rsquo;s side door handle as the vehicle accelerates. The car swerved into an icy sidewalk as Sortor struggled to keep his footing, sliding alongside the moving vehicle before eventually breaking free.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;My hand got trapped in their door handle and I was dragged down the street,&rdquo; Sortor wrote in his account of the incident, later showing an image of severe bruising on his hand.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;They just stole my camera,&rdquo; Sortor said after the vehicle sped away.<\/p>\n<p>A tense standoff followed as several bystanders surrounded Sortor and his team, yelling at them to leave the area. One man in the crowd can be heard shouting profanities and warning them to &ldquo;get out of here right now.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Nobody stepped in,&rdquo; Sortor complained in the video, while his cameraman insisted they had a right to be present, saying, &ldquo;It&rsquo;s the United States of America.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Sortor later claimed online that he and his crew had been followed throughout the day by a group of demonstrators connected to local protests against U.S. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ICE\">Immigration and Customs Enforcement<\/a> officers.<\/p>\n<p>Minneapolis police have not announced any arrests, and it is unclear whether a police report has been filed in connection with the theft. The <em>Washington Examiner <\/em>contacted the Minneapolis Police Department for more information.<\/p>\n<p>Sortor has built a large online following by attending left-wing demonstrations around the country and documenting confrontations with protesters. His presence has frequently drawn hostility from activists who accuse him of provocation.<\/p>\n<p>This is not the first time he has been involved in a confrontation while covering protests.<\/p>\n<p>In October, Sortor was arrested outside an ICE facility in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/portland\/\">Portland<\/a>, Oregon, during an anti-ICE demonstration. The Multnomah County District Attorney&rsquo;s Office later <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/3839322\/nick-sortor-misdemeanor-charge-dropped-portland-arrest\/\">declined to file charges<\/a>, concluding prosecutors could not prove disorderly conduct beyond a reasonable doubt.<\/p>\n<p>Sortor claimed after that arrest that Portland police were targeting conservative influencers at the direction of city officials and announced plans to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.opb.org\/article\/2025\/12\/09\/portland-oregon-police-nick-sortor-lawsuit\/\">sue the city for $10 million<\/a>, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting, although it is not clear whether his lawsuit ever materialized.<\/p>\n<p>In recent weeks, Sortor has focused his reporting on Minneapolis, where demonstrations have intensified over ICE enforcement operations. Earlier this month, he reported from outside a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4408034\/hilton-yanks-franchise-minneapolis-hotel-cancels-ice-officer-reservations\/\">downtown Hilton hotel<\/a> that faced backlash for refusing to host federal immigration officers.<\/p>\n<p>He was also present after the fatal shooting of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4418969\/renee-good-family-hires-george-floyd-attorney-one-week-after-ice-shooting\/\">Renee Good<\/a> by an ICE officer, an incident that triggered protests across the city.<\/p>\n<p>The confrontation on Sunday came as the FBI asked agents from field offices across the country to travel to Minneapolis voluntarily for temporary assignments as the city faces rising tumult and protests against ICE, largely driven by Good&rsquo;s death earlier this month. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">An FBI officer works the scene during operations on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo\/Adam Gray)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In addition to requests for FBI agents in the city, the Pentagon has requested 1,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/watch-karine-jean-pierre-struggles-to-explain-why-biden-is-sending-troops-to-the-secure-border\/\" title=\"VIDEO: Karine Jean-Pierre Struggles to Justify Biden&#039;s Troop Deployment to Border\">500 active-duty troops<\/a> to remain on standby for possible deployment.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4423687\/pentagon-orders-1500-active-duty-troops-prepare-minnesota-deployment\/\">PENTAGON ORDERS 1,500 ACTIVE-DUTY TROOPS TO PREPARE FOR MINNESOTA DEPLOYMENT<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Protests over the death of Good crossed a new line Sunday evening after demonstrators disrupted a Christian church service. Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4423537\/doj-probing-anti-ice-protest-minneapolis-church\/\">announced<\/a> hours after the protest that her office was looking into possible violations of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, which generally protects houses of worship.<\/p>\n<p>The <em>Washington Examiner <\/em>contacted the FBI but did not receive a response.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>FBI probes theft of journalist&#8217;s camera in Minneapolis<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2633,"featured_media":2543613,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP26016826119354.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[4091,71421,50645,71420],"class_list":["post-2543612","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-activists","tag-camera-theft","tag-fbi-2","tag-journalist-safety"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP26016826119354.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2543612","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2633"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2543612"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2543612\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2543621,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2543612\/revisions\/2543621"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2543613"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2543612"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2543612"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2543612"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}