Fact Check: At the same visit that resulted in McIver’s charges, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested on a trespassing charge, which was later dropped.

Published June 13, 2025

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FactChecker 1.1

VERDICT

Partially True

# Fact Check: "At the same visit that resulted in McIver’s charges, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested on a trespassing charge, which was later drop...

Fact Check: "At the same visit that resulted in McIver’s charges, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested on a trespassing charge, which was later dropped."

What We Know

On May 9, 2025, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested outside the Delaney Hall federal immigration detention facility while attempting to join a congressional oversight visit led by three Democratic representatives, including LaMonica McIver. Baraka was initially charged with trespassing, but this charge was dropped by federal prosecutors just 13 days later, on May 21, 2025. U.S. Magistrate Judge Andre Espinosa criticized the prosecutors for their "hasty arrest," suggesting that it indicated a failure to conduct a thorough investigation before proceeding with the charges (AP News, Washington Post, CBS News).

Baraka has since filed a lawsuit against Alina Habba, the interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, alleging "false arrest and malicious prosecution," claiming that the charges were politically motivated (AP News). The dismissal of the trespassing charge has been described as a significant misstep by the Justice Department, with Judge Espinosa emphasizing that such actions against public figures should be approached with caution and thoroughness (New Jersey Monitor, The Hill).

Analysis

The claim that Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested on a trespassing charge during the same visit that resulted in charges against LaMonica McIver is accurate. The timeline of events confirms that Baraka's arrest and subsequent charge occurred on May 9, 2025, coinciding with the oversight visit. The charge was indeed dropped shortly thereafter, which is a critical aspect of the claim.

However, the context surrounding the arrest is essential for a complete understanding. Baraka asserts that he was invited onto the property by federal agents before being asked to leave, which he complied with by moving to public property. The situation escalated when law enforcement attempted to arrest him, leading to a chaotic scene involving protests (AP News, Washington Post).

The reliability of the sources is generally high, as they include reputable news organizations like the Associated Press and The Washington Post, which provide detailed accounts of the events and legal proceedings. However, the political implications and motivations behind the arrest and subsequent charges have been contested, with Baraka and his supporters framing the incident as politically charged, while the Justice Department has not publicly clarified its rationale for the initial charges (New Jersey Monitor, CBS News).

Conclusion

The claim is Partially True. While it accurately states that Ras Baraka was arrested on a trespassing charge during the same visit that resulted in charges against McIver, it lacks nuance regarding the context of the arrest and the motivations behind the charges. The rapid dismissal of the charges, coupled with judicial criticism of the prosecution's handling of the case, indicates that the situation is more complex than a straightforward arrest and charge.

Sources

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