Anti-ICE Agitator Charged After Allegedly Biting Federal Officers During Violent Delaney Hall Protest
An anti-ICE agitator accused of violently attacking federal officers outside the Delaney Hall detention center in Newark has officially been charged after allegedly biting two law enforcement agents during chaotic demonstrations Thursday night.
Brendan John Geier, 26, was charged Friday after authorities say he kicked and bit ICE officers while protesters attempted to block access to the detention facility.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the charges in a social media post that included graphic photos showing bruised and bloodied officers.
“Peaceful protest doesn’t translate to violently attacking federal law enforcement officers,” Blanche 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,” he added.
According to the Department of Justice, the violence unfolded around 10:30 p.m. Thursday when a large group of demonstrators blocked a roadway leading to the Delaney Hall ICE detention center.
Federal officers reportedly formed a line and ordered protesters to move back, but authorities say Geier and others refused to comply.
Instead, Geier allegedly began physically struggling with officers before kicking agents and biting one officer on the forearm and another on the knuckle.
Both injured officers were transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin blasted Geier as a “violent agitator” and vowed the Trump administration would fully back federal law enforcement.
“The Trump Administration will ALWAYS stand with our federal law enforcement officers,” Mullin wrote on X. “Anyone who assaults a law enforcement officer will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
The protests outside Delaney Hall have intensified in recent days, with demonstrators accusing ICE of maintaining poor conditions inside the Newark facility — allegations the Department of Homeland Security strongly denies.
Despite New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill attempting to establish what she described as a “peaceful” protest zone Friday night, clashes between protesters and law enforcement reportedly continued.
Video footage from the scene showed anti-ICE agitators chanting “Kill yourself, quit your job” toward officers as tensions escalated.
Authorities eventually deployed tear gas and pepper spray in an attempt to disperse the crowd.