Come at us, Mr. President.

That was basically the message Newark Mayor Ras Baraka sent in a statement Thursday, several days after President Donald Trump said Sen. Cory Booker - who previously served as mayor - ruined the state's largest city.

In his statement Thursday, Baraka first defended his turf.

"Newark is a national leader in developing new ways to create affordable housing, building trust between community and police, enlisting corporations to hire local residents, protecting undocumented immigrants and bringing the arts to every neighborhood. There are construction cranes everywhere, billions of dollars in development is taking place, crime is down, and we have the nation's fastest fiber internet network."

He credited his and Booker's administrations with the accomplishments he laid out, and challenged Trump to visit Newark to see the city for himself.

"This success is the result of the work of my administration, the collaboration of our stakeholders and residents, the momentum begun by Senator Cory Booker when he was mayor and his continued effective work to deliver for Newark. If Donald Trump thinks otherwise, he should come to Newark and see the amazing things happening here with his own eyes."

Earlier this week, Trump, a Republican, took shots at Booker - a potential 2020 Democratic presidential nominee and vocal opponent of Trump's Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh.

"Take a look at Cory Booker," Trump said earlier this week. "He ran Newark, New Jersey, into the ground; he was a horrible mayor..."

Though Trump takes frequent trips to New Jersey, to his golf club in Bedminster, he does not spend much time in the Brick City.

Baraka, a former councilman, was a former rival of Booker's, but the two have since formed a political bond, with the senator supporting the mayor during his reelection bid earlier this year.

Plenty of people took to social media to back Newark.

CORY BOOKER did NOT run Newark New Jersey into the ground. You are lying, Trump! Again. — Ida Harrison (@idaharrison01) October 1, 2018

And when was the last time trump graced Newark with his presence? — Terry Nelson-Petrie (@terrypeace1) October 4, 2018

I'm a Trump supporter and said nope you're wrong on that one Newark was already destroyed - I think Booker sh8ukd have stayed there where in my opinion he was trying and doing some good — Jackie Everitt (@EverittJackie) October 4, 2018

Listen, if I know one thing, is that you should NEVER trash talk Newark. :watches for @CoryBooker to read Trump to filth: — Malinda Frevert (@MalindaFrevert) October 1, 2018

Some, however, agreed with Trump.

You forgot to mention the part where he said Booker ran Newark into the ground. Trump is 100% correct. Booker did a horrible job. — Go Canes 2019 (@Christo57778622) September 30, 2018

Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.