Fallout Grows After Habba’s DOJ Drops Charges Against Democrat Mayor Amid Explosive Courtroom Drama
NEWARK, NJ — MAY 23, 2025 – Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was caught on a hot mic mocking Trump DOJ officials Wednesday after a federal judge issued a scathing rebuke of U.S. Attorney Alina Habba during a contentious virtual hearing.
Baraka, who had been arrested earlier this month for criminal trespass after storming the Delaney Hall ICE detention facility, had his charges dropped this week by Habba’s office, sparking outrage from conservatives and raising eyebrows in legal circles.
But during the hearing, Magistrate Judge Andre Espinosa unloaded on the DOJ’s handling of the case, accusing them of operating below “a higher standard” expected of federal prosecutors.
“This suggests a worrisome misstep,” Espinosa said, referring to the arrest and abrupt dismissal of charges.
As the judge finished his five-minute verbal lashing, Baraka—apparently unaware his microphone was live—was heard saying:
“Jesus, he tore these people a new a**hole. Good grief.”
A Political Powder Keg
The arrest itself was politically charged. According to the DOJ, Baraka “ignored multiple warnings” from federal agents to leave the ICE facility during what officials described as a riotous breach involving Democrat lawmakers, including Rep. LaMonica McIver, who has since been charged with assaulting ICE agents.
Despite this, Habba announced Monday that her office had decided to drop the misdemeanor trespassing charge against Baraka in “the spirit of public interest” and even invited him to tour the facility.
“The government has nothing to hide,” Habba said. “I will personally accompany the mayor.”
The move shocked many legal observers and political allies of Trump, who saw it as a retreat in the face of pressure and a missed opportunity to hold high-ranking Democrats accountable.
Espinosa vs. Habba: Judicial Overreach or Justified Scrutiny?
This is not the first time Judge Espinosa has clashed with Habba’s office. He had previously warned the U.S. Attorney not to make public statements about Baraka, raising concerns over pretrial publicity.
Wednesday’s hearing made it clear that tensions have only escalated, with Espinosa implying the charges were filed too hastily, without sufficient deliberation or coordination.
Still, critics note the double standard in the way Democrat public officials are treated compared to ordinary citizens who breach federal facilities.
“This is a stunning example of prosecutorial favoritism,” said a former DOJ official. “If you or I had done what Baraka did, we’d still be in custody.”
Baraka’s Political Ambitions
Baraka’s courtroom swagger and mic’d-up mockery may play well with his base. The Democrat mayor is widely expected to run for Governor of New Jersey, and this high-profile dust-up with Trump’s DOJ has turned him into a progressive hero in left-wing circles.
But Republicans are preparing to use this as a campaign issue, accusing Baraka of being soft on law enforcement, hostile to immigration enforcement, and protected by a rigged legal system.
The Bottom Line
The combination of an unhinged judge, a volatile mayor, a recused prosecution, and a hot mic gaffe underscores how deeply politicized America’s justice system has become.
For now, Baraka walks free, Habba takes heat, and the DOJ finds itself once again in the spotlight—not for a bold conviction, but for dropping the ball in a case that could have had real consequences.
Expect this drama to resurface again—on the campaign trail and in Washington.