PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Federal officials are defending the arrest of musician and comedian Robby Roadsteamer, who was taken into custody outside Portland’s U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility this week while wearing a giraffe costume. The bizarre scene, captured on video and widely circulated online, has drawn national attention — and sparked a debate over protest policing.
Viral Video Sparks Controversy
The video, filmed Wednesday and shared across social media platforms, shows Roadsteamer performing and singing in front of a group of demonstrators outside the federal building. Moments later, several agents in tactical gear emerge from the facility, grab him mid-song, and pull him inside.
Within hours, clips of the arrest had gone viral, racking up thousands of views and sparking outrage from protesters who accused federal officers of overreach.
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However, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has now offered its version of events, calling the online video “deceptively edited.”
DHS: “Repeated Warnings Were Ignored”
In a statement to TMZ, DHS officials claimed that Roadsteamer — whom they described as an “attention-starved influencer” — had trespassed on federal property after repeatedly ignoring officers’ commands to step back.
“Three times law enforcement officers told him to back up and step off federal property,” DHS said. “He continued to disobey law enforcement and moved further onto federal property.”
The agency added that officers continued issuing verbal warnings before placing him under arrest. “Following his repeated refusal to listen to law enforcement, he was taken into custody,” the statement read.
Not a Portland Police Arrest
While the officers in the video wear uniforms marked “POLICE,” the Portland Police Bureau clarified that its officers were not involved. The department confirmed that the arresting agents were federal officers, not members of local law enforcement.
The incident occurred during one of several ongoing demonstrations outside the South Portland ICE building, a frequent site of protest activity tied to broader national movements against federal immigration enforcement and the Trump administration’s deployment of federal agents.
Roadsteamer Responds
Robby Roadsteamer, a Massachusetts-based comedian known for his outlandish stage persona, told reporters he intends to sue federal authorities over the arrest. He claims he was exercising his First Amendment rights and was not aware he had crossed onto restricted property.
“I was singing, not causing trouble,” Roadsteamer said in a follow-up post. “If dressing like a giraffe and performing a song is a crime now, then we’ve really lost it.”
Ongoing Investigation
Federal officials have not yet confirmed whether formal charges will be filed. Meanwhile, activists in Portland have decried the incident as an example of escalating federal crackdowns on peaceful expression.
The arrest of the “singing giraffe,” as some online have dubbed him, has become another flashpoint in the ongoing tension between Portland protesters and federal authorities.
Stay tuned for updates as the investigation continues.
