Alina Habba, currently serving as the interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, is under scrutiny after making public comments about the recent arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. A federal magistrate has issued a warning to Habba, advising her—and other officials connected to the case—to avoid speaking publicly outside of court proceedings.
The warning came after Habba took to social media to voice strong opinions about Baraka’s arrest. She claimed that the Democratic mayor “knowingly broke the law” and had “trespassed” at a federal immigration detention center in Newark. This sparked concern from U.S. Magistrate Judge Andre M. Espinosa, who emphasized the importance of respecting professional conduct rules, particularly during an ongoing legal case.
Mayor Baraka was arrested last week after reportedly entering the ICE facility without authorization, accompanied by three Democratic members of Congress. The group said they were attempting to conduct an inspection related to immigration enforcement practices.
During a court hearing, Judge Espinosa determined that Baraka posed no flight risk and did not present a threat to the community. He made it clear that the mayor’s status and cooperation showed no reason for concern.
Baraka, who is widely considered a possible candidate for New Jersey’s next governor, has not commented publicly since the incident. However, the situation gained more attention after Habba appeared on Fox News with Martha MacCallum, where she stood by her interpretation of the events.
According to Habba, Baraka ignored repeated warnings to leave the facility and was arrested after refusing to comply. She also challenged claims that federal agents used excessive force, saying the officials simply did their jobs and handled the situation professionally.
“This wasn’t about politics,” Habba said. “This was about upholding the law. There are consequences when laws are broken—no matter who you are.”
The tension between political figures and federal authorities has once again ignited debate, especially as the incident involves both a high-profile mayor and members of Congress. For now, investigators are continuing to assess what happened, while legal experts monitor how public commentary could impact the case moving forward.
As for Habba, she’s been reminded that when it comes to the justice system, actions outside the courtroom can carry just as much weight as those inside it.