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Anti-ICE agitator charged with allegedly biting officers during Delaney Hall clashes

Anti-ICE agitator charged with allegedly biting officers during Delaney Hall clashes

An anti-U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agitator was hit with federal charges after gnarly photos showed bloody bite marks he allegedly made into federal agents’ arms during violent clashes outside Delaney Hall detention center in Newark, New Jersey. Brendan John Geier, a 26-year-old man from Madison, New Jersey, was part of a group of agitators blocking the road near Delaney Hall on Thursday night when ICE deportation officers instructed the group to move away, the U.S. Department of Justice said.  The group allegedly ignored the commands and instead violently engaged with the officers, according to the DOJ. Geier then “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,” prosecutors said. He was charged with assaulting federal officers and causing bodily injury and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cari Fais on Friday, the DOJ said. “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,” Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche wrote in a Friday afternoon post on X. NEW JERSEY AGITATORS BITE, KICK AND PUNCH ICE AGENTS AS DELANEY HALL CLASHES CONTINUE; 9 MORE ARRESTED: DHS Blanche posted to X photos of bloodied ICE agents displaying their wounds. “Peaceful protest doesn’t translate to violently attacking federal law enforcement officers,” Blanche said in a statement. “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.” “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,” Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin also added in the statement. “Anyone who assaults a law enforcement officer will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” ANTI-ICE AGITATORS THROW WOODEN PALLETS, MATTRESSES AT FEDERAL AGENTS DURING CHAOTIC NJ DETENTION CENTER CLASH “As alleged, this defendant responded to lawful orders from federal officers by kicking one and biting two others who were performing their official duties,” U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer for the District of New Jersey also said in the statement. “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.” “To be clear, peaceful protest does not mean biting, kicking, or punching law enforcement officers,” Acting Special Agent in Charge Spiros Karabinas of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Newark added in the statement. “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,” Karabinas concluded. Ongoing demonstrations outside Delaney Hall are entering their second week. Fox News Digital contacted the DOJ for additional information. On Saturday morning, anti-ICE agitators and counterprotesters were both seen outside Delaney Hall. A crowd was growing, and many officers were seen patrolling on bikes, with a visible divide between pro-ICE protesters and anti-ICE agitators. New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill, who spent Memorial Day at Delaney Hall supporting the anti-ICE crowds, announced Friday that she was instructing New Jersey State Police to assume responsibility for public safety outside the detention center. Earlier in the week, Mullin had placed the blame on Sherrill for not allowing local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. DHS said local police were largely absent as federal agents were met with violent demonstrators. Fox News’ Kimberly Ruiz contributed to this report.

Trump threatened to ‘blow up’ Oman — why the tiny Gulf kingdom is caught between DC and Iran

Trump threatened to ‘blow up’ Oman — why the tiny Gulf kingdom is caught between DC and Iran

President Donald Trump’s threat to “blow up” Oman if the Gulf kingdom didn’t “behave” has exposed a rare rupture with one of Washington’s most valuable Middle East partners — a country that has spent decades quietly serving as America’s backchannel to Iran. “The strait’s gotta be open to everybody,” the president said during a Cabinet meeting Wednesday. “It’s international waters. Nobody’s going to control it. We’re going to watch over it. We’ll watch over it, but nobody’s going to control it. That’s part of the negotiation that we have. They would like to control it; nobody’s going to control it. It’s international waters. And Oman will behave just like everybody else, or we’ll have to blow ’em up. They understand that. They’ll be fine.”  The remark came amid a dispute over the future of the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes. The Trump administration has strongly opposed reported discussions involving Iran and Oman over a potential tolling system or joint management arrangement for the strait, arguing such a move would threaten freedom of navigation and give Tehran greater influence over one of the world’s most important shipping routes. The comments reflected a broader dispute over how far Oman should go in its efforts to engage Iran as the two countries discuss proposals related to the future management of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important shipping routes. STRAIT OF HORMUZ TOLL WOULD SET ‘DANGEROUS PRECEDENT,’ UN SHIPPING AGENCY WARNS The Omani embassy and the White House could not be reached for comment on the underlying tensions or negotiations on the Strait of Hormuz. Situated on the southeastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, Oman occupies the southern side of the Strait of Hormuz and has long pursued a foreign policy distinct from many of its Gulf neighbors. While maintaining close security ties with the U.S., Muscat also has preserved relations with Iran, allowing it to serve as one of the region’s key intermediaries. Oman helped facilitate secret U.S.–Iran talks that paved the way for nuclear negotiations, has repeatedly served as a diplomatic channel between Washington and Tehran and has played a role in negotiations involving Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels. “Oman’s role as the Switzerland of the Middle East has advanced U.S. interests,” April Alley, a senior fellow at The Washington Institute, told Fox News Digital. “They have facilitated numerous rounds of talks between U.S. and Iranians,” she said. “They were also able to broker a truce between the US and the Houthis in the Red Sea. Their neutrality allows them to be quiet facilitators when adversaries are ready to talk.” Oman’s value to Washington historically has stemmed from its ability to maintain communication channels with actors that many U.S. partners cannot or will not engage directly. The Gulf kingdom has served as a go-between in negotiations involving the United States and Iran, supported diplomatic efforts related to Yemen and frequently positioned itself as a neutral intermediary during regional crises. Yacoubian described that role as “indispensable” to previous diplomatic efforts. “Oman has long played an important role as a quiet mediator, acting as a go-between for the United States and Iran in various negotiations including for the Obama-era JCPOA and more recently with the Trump administration and its efforts to negotiate with Iran prior to the 12-day war in June 2025,” she said. While Trump’s remarks drew attention, experts said they reflected a substantive disagreement over the future of the Strait of Hormuz rather than a purely rhetorical outburst. “I think it was both,” Alley said when asked whether the remarks were simply an unusual threat directed at a longtime U.S. partner or reflected deeper concerns. “Oman is an important defense partner, and the Trump administration has a record of working with them on mediation initiatives. The President has an unconventional style, but still this comment was shocking.” “Beyond the shock value, I think it reflects clear frustration on the part of the administration with the Omani approach to the Strait,” she said. “The President is signaling that Oman has gone too far in discussions with Iran on options for opening the Strait that could give Iran administrative control and interfere with freedom of navigation.” The administration’s concerns center on reports that Iran and Oman have discussed arrangements involving tolls, fees or joint administration of the strategic waterway. “The administration is right to be concerned about tolls, fees, or joint management of the Strait,” Alley said. “All of these things are a recipe for Iran interfering with freedom of navigation in the long term and they could set a dangerous precedent for other international waterways.” She warned that if Iran were able to exert administrative control over Hormuz, other Iran-backed groups could seek similar arrangements elsewhere.  “I could see the Houthis trying for the same in the Bab al-Mandeb,” she said. Mona Yacoubian, senior adviser and director of the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, similarly argued that any arrangement that financially benefits Iran through management of the strait would be cause for concern. “If in fact under discussion, a joint management scheme that accrues monetary benefit to Iran, Oman, and possibly other GCC countries would be a justifiable cause for U.S. concern as this would undermine broader principles of freedom of navigation and set a worrying precedent globally,” she told Fox News Digital. Yacoubian said Oman likely is attempting to serve as a bridge between Iran and Gulf Arab states amid concerns over future shipping disruptions in the strait. “Oman is likely seeking to serve as a bridge between Iran and the Gulf Cooperation Council states,” she said. But, Yacoubian added, “It is important to underscore that these types of threats are not well-received globally and contribute to an overall erosion of trust in the United States as a credible negotiator and leading global power.” WHY GULF STATES AREN’T JOINING THE WAR AGAINST

Bessent readies Trump $250 bill as one big hurdle stands between Treasury and making it reality

Bessent readies Trump 0 bill as one big hurdle stands between Treasury and making it reality

The Treasury Department is preparing a $250 note bearing President Donald Trump’s portrait for the nation’s 250th anniversary, but the bill can only move forward only if Congress changes federal law barring living people from U.S. currency. “It’s all up on Capitol Hill. At Treasury, we prepare things in advance. So we have prepared, in advance, that if the legislation is passed, but we will stick to the law,” explained Bessent. Trump’s portrait would be placed on $250 paper currency for the first time if lawmakers succeed in changing a key federal law that bars living people from appearing on the currency. Democratic lawmakers and leaders, meanwhile, are decrying the proposal as they escalate their opposition to Trump and the GOP.  “In response to active legislation sponsored by Representative Joe Wilson, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) is conducting appropriate planning and due diligence. Should this legislative mandate be signed into law, the BEP is moving proactively to produce a $250 commemorative note which will appropriately recognize the 250th Anniversary of our great nation,” a Treasury spokesperson told Fox News Digital when asked about the bills.  TREASURY TO PLACE TRUMP’S SIGNATURE ON PAPER CURRENCY TO MARK US 250TH ANNIVERSARY Staunch Trump supporter, Republican South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson, introduced the bill in February 2025. Wilson introduced the bill not only to coincide with America’s birthday in July, but also as a rebuke of the Biden administration and its economic policies. The bill was referred to the House Financial Services Committee when it was introduced and has remained with the committee.  The Federal Reserve currently issues only seven denominations: $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100. Kentucky Republican Rep. Andy Barr posted an image to X in January of the reported mock-up of the bill, which showed red, white and blue colors behind Trump’s image.  “I have two mandates for U.S. currency at present. That no living person can be on U.S. currency. And the currency must say, ‘In God we trust,’” said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent while hosting the White House press briefing Thursday. ANDREW BATES: TRUMP KILLED OUR ECONOMY IN JUST 100 DAYS. DEMOCRATS MUST ACT NOW Democrats quickly took to social media to criticize the proposal, arguing it centered on Trump’s personal legacy rather than the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration. “By the end of Trump’s term, it’ll be just enough to buy one gallon of gas and a carton of eggs,” said former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in an X post. “Hard No on a Trump $250 bill. Get over yourself. The upcoming July 4 anniversary is not about a wannabe King. It’s about celebrating the American journey,” wrote Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on X. “While Americans are being crushed by rising prices, Trump is brainstorming new ways to stoke his ego. Maybe if he were more focused on lowering costs for working families, they wouldn’t need a new $250 bill to afford necessities,” said Democratic Virginia Sen. Mark Warner. SEN JIM BANKS: TRUMP’S NEW TRIUMPHAL ARCH IS A MONUMENT TO AMERICAN GREATNESS “House Republicans’ priorities: ❌ End Trump’s war in Iran ✅ Create a ‘Trump Peace Prize’ ❌ Lower costs for families ✅ Make a new $250 bill with Trump’s face on it ❌ Reign in Trump’s masked ICE agents ✅ Carve Trump’s face on Mt. Rushmore,” wrote the Democratic National Committee on X. Treasury previously announced that Trump’s signature would appear on future U.S. paper currency alongside Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s signature in honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary.