A protester, accused of biting federal officers during a chaotic demonstration at Delaney Hall, now faces legal charges.
On Friday, 26-year-old Brendan John Geier was charged with allegedly “kicking and biting” Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers outside Newark’s detention facility. The attack reportedly caused “severe injuries,” according to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who shared images of the injured officers on social media.
“Peaceful protesting is not synonymous with violently assaulting federal law enforcement,” Blanche stated. “These officers are tasked with safeguarding United States property and facilities. With minimal support from local New Jersey law enforcement, these rioters have been emboldened to regroup and launch attacks.”
“The violent incidents witnessed in Newark over the past few days are unacceptable,” he added. “We are committed to arresting and prosecuting those responsible for such criminal behavior.”
Geier, a resident of Madison, NJ, made his court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cari Fais on Friday.
The Department of Justice claims that Geier was among a large group of protesters blocking the road to the Delaney Hall ICE detention center around 10:30 p.m. on Thursday.
The facility has been the site of raucous demonstrations in recent days related to the alleged poor condition of detainees inside the facility, which the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) vehemently denies is the case.
ICE officers “in an attempt to clear the road, formed into a line and began to move towards the group of demonstrators, which included Geier,” according to the DOJ.
“The deportation officers issued commands to the demonstrators to ‘move back,’ but the demonstrators, including Geier, ignored those commands and refused to clear the road,” the department said. “Geier instead engaged in a struggle with deportation officers, kicking officers and ultimately biting an officer’s forearm, and another’s knuckle. Both victims received treatment at a local hospital.”
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin described Geier as a “violent agitator” on X.
“The Trump Administration will ALWAYS stand with our federal law enforcement officers,” Mullin said. “Anyone who assaults a law enforcement officer will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
The Post attempted to reach out to Geier for comment.
Clashes between law enforcement and protesters continued near Delaney Hall Friday night despite New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s attempt to establish a “peaceful” protest zone.
Chants of “Kill yourself, quit your job, quit your job,” were heard from the anti-ICE agitators at one point.
Law enforcement depolyed tear gas and pepper spray in an effort to dispurse the unruly crowd, according to footage.
2 comments
Ice should have been able to retaliate by knocking every single tooth out of his head!
𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧 ☝️‼️