The Department of Homeland Security says a man seen in a viral video being violently attacked in Honolulu, Hawaii, while wearing what appeared to be an ICE agent uniform, has no connection to the agency, the New York Post reports.
DHS confirms the man who went viral getting beaten up on Saturday at a NO KINGS protest in Hawaii “is NOT an ICE agent and is not connected to DHS in any way.”
DHS added, “Anyone caught impersonating a federal immigration agent will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the… pic.twitter.com/sD25ZS1bb5
— Roy Rogue (@rogue185263) April 1, 2026
Bodycam video obtained by Fox News appears to show the man in an ICE agent vest punched and kicked on Saturday night on a street in Honolulu’s Waikiki district. The viral footage of the supposed ICE agent triggered immediate backlash across social media, coming amid heightened fears over attacks on immigration officers and controversial debate over officers keeping their identity hidden.
According to the footage, the man in the vest approaches what appears to be a group of several people. He’s soon doused with liquid by someone near him. Seconds later, three people grab the man and slam him to the ground, continuing to punch him. He eventually gets up and walks away as he appears to wipe blood off his nose.
In an email to Fox News Digital, a DHS spokesperson confirmed that while “this person is wearing gear that says ICE on it,” he “is NOT an ICE agent and is not connected to DHS in any way.” Authorities did not release the man’s identity but said “if someone is caught pretending to be a federal immigration agent, we will prosecute that individual to the fullest extent of the law.”
The department added that “pretending to be a federal immigration officer harms public safety and further damages the public’s trust with law enforcement.” The Honolulu Police Department told Fox News Digital a 15-year-old male was arrested and charged with attempted assault stemming from the altercation.
🇺🇸In Hawaii (USA), local activists staged a “disciplinary attack” on a man in an ICE uniform. They beat him brutally, kicking and punching him. And then it turned out he wasn’t an agent, but simply a local eccentric provocateur who likes to wear uniform for the thrill of it.… pic.twitter.com/XCDYebX3no
— Patriots of the world 👍🇺🇸 🇷🇺 (@AMoczas93932) April 1, 2026
The department said the teen was initially booked for suspicion of second-degree assault but that charge has since been reduced to attempted assault. Police logs show the incident happened around 8: 12 p.m. Saturday night and the victim is listed as a 52-year-old male. Police have not identified either suspect or victim.
A police spokesperson said no additional information could be released “as this investigation is active and ongoing.” The assault of the fake ICE agent took place the same day a “No Dictators” protest opposing the Trump administration was held in Honolulu. The demonstration, tied to similar “No Kings” protests across the United States, occurred earlier that morning several miles away in downtown Honolulu.
Local outlet Big Island Now reported that organizers renamed the Honolulu event to “No Dictators” “out of respect for Hawaiʻi’s history of aliʻi (chiefs and kings).”
While officials confirmed the man in the video was not an ICE agent, the Department of Homeland Security has warned of a sharp increase in violence targeting its personnel. Earlier this year, DHS reported a 1,300 percent spike in assaults against ICE officers, along with a 3,200 percent rise in vehicle-related attacks. The agency also said threats against ICE agents have surged by 8,000%.
During a separate “No Kings” protest in Los Angeles over the weekend, a demonstrator was reportedly seen spray-painting a federal building with the words, “Kill your local ICE agent,” alongside two target symbols.
