SouthernWorldwide.com – An individual identified as an anti-U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agitator has been charged federally following violent confrontations outside the Delaney Hall detention center in Newark, New Jersey. The charges stem from alleged assaults on federal agents, with photographic evidence reportedly showing bite marks on their arms.
Brendan John Geier, a 26-year-old resident of Madison, New Jersey, was among a group obstructing traffic near Delaney Hall on Thursday evening. According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), ICE deportation officers instructed the group to disperse.
The DOJ stated that the group disregarded these commands and subsequently engaged violently with the officers. Prosecutors detailed that Geier was involved in a struggle, during which he allegedly kicked officers and bit one on the forearm and another on the knuckle. Both officers required medical treatment at a local hospital.
Geier faces charges of assaulting federal officers and causing bodily injury. He made an appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cari Fais on Friday, as confirmed by the DOJ.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche expressed strong condemnation of the actions, stating on X, “We will not tolerate the vicious attacks on ICE officers we’ve seen in New Jersey the last few days. These riots are clearly not ‘peaceful protests’ as you can see from the photos of these horrific wounds. Assault a federal officer, you’ll be held accountable.”
Blanche shared images on X depicting injured ICE agents with visible wounds.
In a separate statement, Blanche emphasized the distinction between lawful protest and violent assault. “Peaceful protest doesn’t translate to violently attacking federal law enforcement officers,” he said. “Federal officers are protecting United States’ property and facilities. With virtually no local law enforcement support from New Jersey, rioters are regrouping and attacking. We will not tolerate the vicious attacks we have seen in Newark the last few days, and we will make arrests and hold people accountable for criminal conduct.”
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin echoed this sentiment, stating, “As alleged in the Justice Department’s complaint, this violent rioter savagely bit an ICE law enforcement officer outside of Delaney Hall. The Trump Administration will always stand with our law enforcement officers. Anyone who assaults a law enforcement officer will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer for the District of New Jersey also commented on the incident. “As alleged, this defendant responded to lawful orders from federal officers by kicking one and biting two others who were performing their official duties,” he stated. “Assaulting law enforcement officers is unacceptable. Period. Federal officers must be able to carry out their responsibilities without being subjected to violence, intimidation, or obstruction. This Office will continue to prosecute those who, as alleged here, assault officers and interfere with the lawful execution of their duties.”
Acting Special Agent in Charge Spiros Karabinas of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Newark reinforced the message, stating, “To be clear, peaceful protest does not mean biting, kicking, or punching law enforcement officers. The repeated assaults on federal officers at Delaney Hall are criminal acts — not protected speech. Homeland Security Investigations is unwavering in its commitment to hold those who attack law enforcement fully accountable under the law.”
The demonstrations outside Delaney Hall have been ongoing for over a week.
On Saturday morning, both anti-ICE agitators and counter-protesters were present outside the facility. A growing crowd was observed, with numerous officers patrolling on bicycles, maintaining a clear separation between pro-ICE demonstrators and anti-ICE activists.
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New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill, who had previously shown support for the anti-ICE crowds at Delaney Hall, announced on Friday that she was directing the New Jersey State Police to take over public safety responsibilities outside the detention center. Earlier in the week, Secretary Mullin had criticized Governor Sherrill for what he perceived as a lack of cooperation from local law enforcement with federal immigration authorities. The Department of Homeland Security reported a general absence of local police presence as federal agents encountered violent demonstrators.
