A federal judge on Wednesday chided the Justice Department during a hearing where he agreed to dismiss a trespass charge against Newark Mayor Ras Baraka (D), stemming from his visit to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility earlier this month alongside three Democratic members of Congress.

U.S. District Judge Andre Espinosa said the arrest suggested a “worrisome misstep” by the New Jersey’s U.S. Attorney’s office, noting the “apparent rush” in bringing the case that culminated in the government’s “embarrassing” retraction of the charge.

He dismissed the complaint against Baraka with prejudice, meaning the charges cannot be brought again.

“Your role is not to secure convictions at all........

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