Judge Tells DOJ To ‘Operate With A Higher Standard’ After Newark Mayor’s Arrest | EUROtoday

Judge Tells DOJ To ‘Operate With A Higher Standard’ After Newark Mayor’s Arrest
 | EUROtoday

A federal decide ripped into the Justice Department after Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was hit with trespassing prices at an immigration detention heart, just for the DOJ to reverse course days later and drop the costs.

“The hasty arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, followed swiftly by the dismissal of these trespassing charges a mere 13 days later, suggests a worrying misstep by your office,” Magistrate Judge Andre Espinosa advised federal prosecutors throughout a Wednesday listening to.

Baraka was arrested earlier this month whereas trying to go to a brand new ICE detention facility for immigrants and slapped with misdemeanor trespassing prices.

“The reality is this: I didn’t do anything wrong,” Baraka advised his supporters after being launched from custody.

The DOJ apparently agreed, and performing U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Alina Habba mentioned she would drop the costs towards Baraka.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka speaks to supporters and media after a court appearance in Newark, New Jersey, on May 15, 2025.
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka speaks to supporters and media after a court docket look in Newark, New Jersey, on May 15, 2025.

Espinosa granted Habba’s request to dismiss the costs on Wednesday, however known as the DOJ’s actions “embarrassing.”

“The apparent rush in this case, culminating today in the embarrassing retraction of charges, suggests a failure to adequately investigate,” Espinosa mentioned. “Your office must operate with a higher standard than that.”

While prices towards Baraka have been dropped, Habba has charged Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.) with assaulting two ICE brokers throughout the May 9 conflict outdoors the detention heart. Federal prosecutors argue that McIver tried to cease Baraka’s arrest by pushing and grabbing Homeland Security and ICE brokers. McIver has denied the costs.

“I went to an ICE facility in my district to conduct oversight because that is my job and my lawful right as a member of Congress,” McIver wrote in a fundraising e mail.

The prices towards McIver carry a most sentence of as much as eight years in jail, prosecutors mentioned.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/judge-tells-justice-department-to-operate-with-a-higher-standard-after-newark-mayors-arrest_n_682e3fd2e4b0ef574bf5489b