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From The Hill: Newark, N.J., Mayor Ras Baraka (D) on Tuesday sued interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Alina Habba in her personal capacity over his arrest last month outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility he was visiting with three Democratic members of Congress.
The lawsuit includes claims of false arrest, malicious prosecution and defamation, and accuses Habba of acting as a “political operative, outside of any function intimately related to the judicial process.”
“Defendant Habba has made her biased political goals explicit,” the complaint read, pointing to political remarks Habba made before and after she was sworn in such as her goal to “turn New Jersey red.”
The suit also names Ricky Patel, the Homeland Security Investigations agent in charge in Newark, in his personal capacity.
Baraka, a Democrat, is running for governor of New Jersey.
Although the trespassing charges against him were later dropped, Baraka is fuming over the arrest. Below is the moment he was handcuffed after entering the ICE facility.
BREAKING: Newark Mayor Ras Baraka has just sued the Trump administration’s interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, Alina Habba, accusing her of malicious prosecution over his arrest outside an ICE detention facility.
Mayor Baraka is alleging ‘false arrest and… pic.twitter.com/LFVWJPLoDV
— Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) June 3, 2025
They took his mugshot too:
🔥🚨Breaking News🚨🔥
The mugshot of activist Newark Mayor Ras Baraka’s official mugshot has been released by the BBP. One NJ State Officer interviewed said that the soon-to-be former Mayor reportedly said he has definitely learned “the meaning of FAFO”. Lookin’ Great Ras,… pic.twitter.com/Fj4wJd3Tqs
— The Brad Beringer Project (@BradBeringer) May 9, 2025
On May 9, Habba announced, “The Mayor of Newark, Ras Baraka, committed trespass and ignored multiple warnings from Homeland Security Investigations to remove himself from the ICE detention center in Newark, New Jersey this afternoon. He has willingly chosen to disregard the law. That will not stand in this state. He has been taken into custody. NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW.”
The Mayor of Newark, Ras Baraka, committed trespass and ignored multiple warnings from Homeland Security Investigations to remove himself from the ICE detention center in Newark, New Jersey this afternoon. He has willingly chosen to disregard the law. That will not stand in this…
— Alina Habba (@AlinaHabba) May 9, 2025
Habba wrote in a post on X Monday, ““Shocking” leak from Mayor Baraka’s team: He is planning to sue the Feds. My advice to the mayor – feel free to join me in prioritizing violent crime and public safety. Far better use of time for the great citizens of New Jersey.”
“Shocking” leak from Mayor Baraka’s team: He is planning to sue the Feds.
My advice to the mayor – feel free to join me in prioritizing violent crime and public safety. Far better use of time for the great citizens of New Jersey.
— Alina Habba (@AlinaHabba) June 3, 2025
Tuesday morning, Baraka announced: “Today I filed a federal lawsuit against Alina Habba and DHS Agent Ricky Patel for false arrest, malicious prosecution, and defamation. They abused their power to violently arrest me at Delaney Hall despite being invited inside. No one is above the law.”
Today I filed a federal lawsuit against Alina Habba and DHS Agent Ricky Patel for false arrest, malicious prosecution, and defamation. They abused their power to violently arrest me at Delaney Hall despite being invited inside. No one is above the law.
— Ras J. Baraka (@rasjbaraka) June 3, 2025
JUST IN: Newark Mayor Ras Baraka sues interim US Attorney Alina Habba for “false arrest and malicious prosecution.” https://t.co/3lZCLsqJkk pic.twitter.com/OojLmCLYCT
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) June 3, 2025
BREAKING: Newark Mayor Ras Baraka sues New Jersey’s top federal prosecutor after being arrested at an immigration detention facility. https://t.co/MiKWWyHQZI
— The Associated Press (@AP) June 3, 2025
Below are comments Baraka recently gave on why he thinks he should be elected as governor of New Jersey:
They say I’m not electable because I’m from Newark, because I’m progressive, because I’m Black. I say that’s exactly why I’m ready. New Jersey is ready too. Ready for change. Ready for Ras Baraka. June 10. #RasForGovernor #ReimagineNJ #TeamBaraka pic.twitter.com/vEt5HA0OnH
— Ras J. Baraka (@rasjbaraka) May 20, 2025
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