Alina Habba Replaced as NJ's Top Federal Prosecutor Amid Opposition
Alina Habba was removed as New Jersey's interim U.S. Attorney after federal judges opposed extending her term, following senatorial opposition and scrutiny. Desiree Leigh Grace will succeed her.
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Overview
- Alina Habba, appointed interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey by President Trump, faced significant opposition from Democratic senators regarding her nomination for a four-year term.
- Federal judges in New Jersey voted against extending Habba's interim appointment, which typically lasts 120 days, preventing its continuation without Senate confirmation or court extension.
- Her tenure drew scrutiny for dropping the high-profile prosecution of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and bringing politically motivated assault charges against Congresswoman Monica McIver.
- Senators Booker and Kim questioned Habba's qualifications, alleging she degraded the office and pursued frivolous prosecutions, which contributed significantly to her eventual removal.
- Desiree Leigh Grace has been appointed to succeed Alina Habba as New Jersey's top federal prosecutor, with her term officially effective starting on July 22, 2025.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story by consistently highlighting Alina Habba's past as Trump's personal attorney and her involvement in his high-profile civil cases, including significant judgments. They emphasize the legality of the judges' actions and the politically charged nature of cases Habba pursued, implicitly questioning her suitability and suggesting her appointment was politically motivated rather than merit-based.
"In an escalation of a fight with the judiciary, Attorney General Pam Bondi said the official who was set to replace President Donald Trump's former lawyer as the top federal prosecutor for New Jersey "has just been removed.""
USA TODAY"Federal judges in New Jersey invoked a rarely used judiciary power to sideline interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, installing her top assistant as the state's top prosecutor."
CBS News"The announcement came after federal judges in New Jersey opted not to appoint Habba, Trump's former personal attorney, as the state's top federal prosecutor on a permanent basis."
ABC News"The order means that judges declined to extend Habba's interim role, which she assumed on March 24."
NBC News"Habba’s tenure included the high-profile prosecution of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, which was eventually dropped, and the ongoing assault case against Rep. LaMonica McIver."
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FAQ
The federal judges' decision was influenced by controversy over Habba's tenure, including her dropping the prosecution of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and bringing politically controversial charges against Congresswoman Monica McIver, as well as opposition from Democratic senators questioning her qualifications and prosecutorial decisions.
Desiree Leigh Grace is a career attorney who served as Alina Habba's top assistant and has been appointed by the federal judges to succeed Habba as the interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, beginning July 22, 2025.
Habba's tenure included controversy over her dropping charges against Newark Mayor Ras Baraka shortly after arresting him, which a judge criticized, and bringing politically motivated assault charges against Congresswoman Monica McIver, both of which attracted scrutiny from senators and the public.
Senators Cory Booker and Kim opposed Habba's nomination, questioning her qualifications and alleging she degraded the U.S. Attorney's office by pursuing frivolous prosecutions, which contributed to her removal.
An interim U.S. Attorney term typically lasts 120 days unless the nominee is confirmed by the Senate or the term is extended by the federal district court. In Habba's case, the court declined to extend her term.
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