Government enforcers going door-to-door to spook and censor civilians for criticizing their agencies is pretty common… in fascist governments, which is why a New Jersey man stood his ground when an alleged FBI agent knocked on his door. The FBI’s reason for the visit? Apparently, the New Jersey local had been vocal offline and online about opposing the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE).
TikTok user and ANTIFA President Craig Brittain posted the clip of the incident on his social media accounts, which occurred earlier this week in Newark, New Jersey. In the footage, an old man wearing a shirt with the FBI NEWARK abbreviation came knocking on Brittain’s door, and when he opened it, the old man immediately introduced himself as an “FBI Agent” and said that “if you lie to an FBI agent, you can get charged with that,” while stuttering.
When Brittain asked, “What’s this about?” the alleged FBI agent alluded to Brittain’s social media posts and comments criticizing ICE. However, it appears the “FBI Agent” got a little spooked by the camera and claimed, “I’ll discuss it with you if you stop recording,” to which Brittain refused, cutting the conversation and the visit short. The “FBI Agent” then simply walked away without explanation or presenting a warrant and identification, which Brittain asked for.
Brittain did chase them as they walked back to their black SUV, ranting that his tax dollars are being used poorly if FBI agents are going knocking on his door without a warrant or proper identification. Earlier in the week, Brittain also recalled that he attended an anti-ICE protest at Delaney Hall in Newark, which might have also led to the odd “FBI” visit.
People online are raising their eyebrows
For the record, FBI agents and federal law enforcers are legally required to identify themselves, especially when they’re not operating undercover, such as during searches or interviews. Verbal identification, IDs, and badges should be presented, as the man in the video announced he’s an FBI agent anyway. Since none of the above happened, people online began to suspect.
“That’s not an fbi agent,” suggests one TikTok commenter on Brittain’s clip, while others mocked the reason for the visit and the “agent’s” approach, “So FBI stands for Facebook investigator now?” Others have taken the gesture more seriously and have pointed out that impersonating federal officers is punishable by law: “impersonating an officer is a serious offense.”
In any case, commenters also advised Brittain to inform the local police of the incident and even file a complaint, as there shouldn’t be a problem if they were really FBI. Moreover, it’s not the first time the “FBI” allegedly went door-to-door to warn people of joining protests or making statements against government agencies, though many also suspect such incidents could be impersonations as well.
