Newark Mayor Claims Trump Lawyer Set Him Up After "Arrest" Outside Jail

Newark's Mayor Files Lawsuit Against Prominent Trump Attorney, Alleging Malicious Prosecution

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka has launched a legal battle against Alina Habba, a lawyer well-known for her representation of former President Donald Trump, claiming malicious prosecution following his arrest earlier this year. The incident, which sparked outrage and accusations of political targeting, has now escalated into a high-profile lawsuit.

The arrest occurred on May 9th outside Delaney Hall, a detention facility, under circumstances that Mayor Baraka claims were designed for "maximum humiliation." The situation unfolded as follows:

• Mayor Baraka was waiting inside Delaney Hall's gated perimeter for members of New Jersey's congressional delegation.
• After approximately 45 minutes, he was reportedly told he would be arrested if he did not leave the premises.
• Mr. Baraka then exited the gate into a public area where protesters had gathered.
• Moments later, masked immigration agents, some visibly armed, emerged and took Mr. Baraka into custody.

The arrest, captured on video by news reporters, congressional aides, and immigration activists, was described as a "brief but volatile clash." The lawsuit alleges that the entire episode was a calculated attempt to publicly embarrass the mayor.

Judge Espinosa subsequently ordered Mayor Baraka's release that same night. However, this was only after he was photographed, fingerprinted, and detained for approximately five hours at a separate U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in Newark.

Adding another layer of complexity to the situation, Ms. Habba, in the same announcement where she revealed the dropping of charges against Mayor Baraka, disclosed assault charges against Representative LaMonica McIver, a Newark Democrat who accompanied the Mayor on the day of the arrest.

Key takeaways from this developing story:

1. Mayor Baraka is suing Alina Habba for malicious prosecution.
2. The lawsuit stems from an arrest that Mayor Baraka claims was designed for "maximum humiliation."
3. The incident involved members of New Jersey's congressional delegation and Immigration Agents outside Delaney Hall.
4. Judge Espinosa ordered Mayor Baraka's release after several hours of detention.
5. Assault charges are pending against Representative LaMonica McIver.

This lawsuit promises to be a closely watched legal battle, raising important questions about the use of law enforcement power and the potential for politically motivated prosecutions. It highlights the tensions surrounding immigration enforcement and the rights of individuals, even elected officials, to protest and engage in public discourse. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for future interactions between law enforcement and political figures, particularly in the context of contentious social and political issues.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/03/nyregion/ras-baraka-alina-habba-lawsuit-ice.html