In a high-profile twist in New Jersey’s 2025 gubernatorial race, former President Donald Trump has officially endorsed Jack Ciattarelli for Governor. The announcement, which came as a surprise to many grassroots conservatives, was celebrated by Ciattarelli loyalists — but met with skepticism and renewed determination from supporters of rival candidate Bill Spadea.

While Trump’s endorsement may have elevated Ciattarelli in establishment circles, many conservatives in New Jersey haven’t forgotten Ciattarelli’s past criticisms of Trump. In 2015, Ciattarelli called Trump a “charlatan” and publicly stated that he was “not fit to be President.” His attempt to walk back those statements during the 2021 gubernatorial race raised eyebrows, as did his participation in a “Stop the Steal” rally — which he later distanced himself from, claiming ignorance about its nature. Voters are questioning: Is Ciattarelli truly aligned with America First values, or is he simply shifting with the political winds?

Meanwhile, Bill Spadea, a former U.S. Marine and conservative radio personality, has built a strong and unwavering base of supporters who see him as the true fighter for working-class New Jerseyans. Unlike Ciattarelli, Spadea has been a consistent supporter of Donald Trump since the very beginning. His campaign has focused on real conservative reform — tackling New Jersey’s broken immigration policies, supporting law enforcement, and demanding transparency in state government.

Spadea’s movement just received a major boost with the endorsement of General Michael Flynn, a respected figure among constitutional conservatives and a former National Security Advisor under President Trump. Flynn’s endorsement sends a strong signal that Spadea represents the America First wing of the GOP — not the political class.

The Trump endorsement of Ciattarelli may have disappointed many, but it hasn’t deterred Spadea’s base — it’s fired them up. “President Trump is human. He made a mistake — and we’re going to prove it,” one supporter wrote online. “This only motivates us to work harder, organize smarter, and show everyone that New Jersey is ready for a true conservative governor.”

As the primary draws closer, the divide between the establishment-backed Ciattarelli and the grassroots-fueled Spadea couldn’t be more clear. This race isn’t just about who wins the nomination — it’s about the future of the Republican Party in New Jersey.

The fight continues. And for many, it’s just getting started.

Jersey City, NJ — May 10, 2025

A searing open letter from investigative journalist Leroy Truth is shaking the political landscape in Hudson County, calling out Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea for what Truth describes as “hypocrisy and selective outrage.”

Truth, who has spent the last 17 months investigating and exposing alleged corruption tied to Union City Mayor and State Senator Brian Stack, issued the blistering statement after O’Dea publicly condemned the recent arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, calling it “an abuse of power” and “a disgrace.”

While O’Dea’s defense of Baraka drew praise in political circles, Leroy Truth says it exposed a glaring double standard: why, Truth asks, has O’Dea stayed silent in the face of what he describes as a “coordinated campaign of harassment, assault, robbery, and unlawful arrests” allegedly orchestrated by Stack to silence him?

“This is not about politics anymore—it’s about integrity,” Truth wrote. “Commissioner O’Dea, your condemnation of the arrest of Mayor Baraka is valid and necessary—but selective condemnation is not justice.”

Truth’s letter details a series of alarming incidents, which he claims were carried out on orders from Stack and overlooked by the highest law enforcement authorities in New Jersey. Among the incidents:

A Violent Ejection from Public Comment: Truth says he was unlawfully arrested at a Union City commissioners meeting while peacefully speaking during his allotted public comment time—a right protected by law. Dragged from Church: Truth alleges he was “violently ripped out of a church pew” in Jersey City by police while praying during a regular worship service attended by Governor Phil Murphy, Brian Stack, and ex-Governor Jim McGreevey. Assault at a State Senate Hearing: Truth claims he was violently removed and injured by New Jersey State Police for speaking at a Senate judiciary hearing chaired by Stack. Street Attack Caught on Video: Truth describes an assault and robbery in Union City allegedly carried out by City Hall secretary Justin Mercado, under Stack’s direction. Truth says Mercado stole his phone in broad daylight, waving it in front of Stack as “proof of loyalty.” Despite multiple security camera recordings of the incident, New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin dismissed Truth’s six criminal complaints, citing “no probable cause.”

Truth did not hold back his fury at Platkin, labeling the Attorney General “complicit” in shielding corruption and creating a “paper trail of corruption with his name on it.”

“Outrage seems to be reserved for political insiders, not for journalists, and not for the American people,” Truth charged. “If you’re going to condemn one injustice, you must condemn them all. Anything less makes your words ring hollow—and aligns you with the very hypocrisy that allows corruption to flourish.”

The letter—signed with Truth’s signature tagline, “Fighting corruption in New Jersey, one truth at a time”—concludes with a direct challenge to O’Dea: name Brian Stack as the root of the problem, or risk being remembered as part of the system that enabled him.

A Pattern of Political Silence

Truth’s criticism highlights a broader issue within Hudson County politics: the enduring grip of Brian Stack’s political machine, which many local insiders have accused of stifling dissent and wielding unchecked power. Despite whispers of corruption for decades, few elected officials have dared to publicly confront Stack—fearing political retaliation or worse.

Truth argues that O’Dea now faces a defining moment.

“You cannot end corruption without the courage to call it out, expose it, and demand that corrupt public servants be indicted and removed,” he wrote. “The silence of most Democratic politicians in New Jersey—at every level—is deafening.”

A Political Crossroads for O’Dea

O’Dea, long seen as a political survivor with mayoral ambitions in Jersey City, has built his reputation as a reform-minded commissioner. But Truth’s letter forces O’Dea into an uncomfortable spotlight, questioning whether his anti-corruption stance is genuine—or just another talking point in an election season.

As Hudson County politics simmer with tension, all eyes are now on Bill O’Dea: Will he meet Leroy Truth’s challenge and name Brian Stack as a corrupt actor? Or will he join the long line of politicians accused of saying the right things while turning a blind eye to Hudson County’s most entrenched power broker?

In the words of Truth’s final warning: “History will remember your answer.”

For those with tips related to alleged corruption by Mayor and Senator Brian P. Stack, Leroy Truth invites contact via his Corruption Tips Hotline at 305-707-8325 or email at LeroyTruth247@gmail.com.

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This is a developing story. Updates will follow as new information becomes available.

In a dramatic escalation of tensions between local and federal authorities, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested on Friday outside the Delaney Hall Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Newark, New Jersey. Baraka, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate known for his staunch opposition to federal immigration policies, was taken into custody after allegedly trespassing and ignoring repeated warnings from Homeland Security personnel to vacate the premises .

The arrest occurred during a protest against the recently reopened 1,000-bed detention center operated by private prison contractor GEO Group under a 15-year, $1 billion contract with ICE . Baraka has been a vocal critic of the facility, arguing that it lacks proper permits and violates local ordinances. His administration filed a lawsuit against GEO Group shortly after the contract was announced .

Accompanying Baraka were Democratic Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman, LaMonica McIver, and Rob Menendez, who were attempting to conduct an oversight tour of the facility. According to witnesses, when federal officials blocked their entry, a heated confrontation ensued, leading to Baraka’s arrest .

Acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, Alina Habba, stated that Baraka “chose to disregard the law” and emphasized that “no one is above the law” . The Department of Homeland Security accused the group of protesters, including the congressmembers, of storming the gate and disrupting operations, calling the incident a “bizarre political stunt” that endangered safety .

Baraka’s arrest underscores the deepening divide between local leaders and federal immigration authorities. As the mayor of New Jersey’s largest city and a gubernatorial hopeful, Baraka’s actions reflect a broader political strategy to position himself as a progressive champion against the Trump administration’s immigration policies. However, critics argue that his confrontational approach and disregard for legal protocols may undermine his credibility and effectiveness as a leader.

The incident also raises questions about the conduct of the accompanying congressmembers, particularly Rep. Rob Menendez, son of embattled U.S. Senator Bob Menendez. While video footage of the confrontation has not been publicly released, reports suggest that the lawmakers’ actions contributed to the escalation of tensions at the facility. Every legislator who resisted, pushed and assaulted the officers should have been arrested and charged accordingly, including Rob Menendez.

As the situation continues to unfold, Baraka’s campaign has stated that they are “actively monitoring” the events and will provide further details as they become available . The mayor’s arrest marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement and the role of local governments in challenging federal policies.