Alina Habba, the former personal defense attorney to President Donald Trump, has remained defiant in the face of the federal judges’ vote against extending her term as the temporary U.S. attorney of New Jersey. Despite the decision by the district court judges to replace her with her No. 2 deputy, Desiree Grace, Attorney General Pam Bondi has swiftly taken action, firing Grace and leaving the position of U.S. attorney in New Jersey open. Habba, who has been serving as the interim U.S. attorney since the expiration of her 120-day term, has announced that she is now the ‘acting’ U.S. attorney, a title shift that reflects the current legal status of her role.
In a public statement, Habba has declared her resolve to continue her work as the top federal prosecutor in New Jersey, stating she does not ‘cower to pressure’ and that she is committed to ‘justice.’ Her stance reflects a determination to press forward in her role despite the legal challenges she has faced. The Department of Justice confirmed this change in title, indicating that Habba’s term as ‘interim’ U.S. attorney has expired, leaving the position in a state of uncertainty.
The situation has been further complicated by the ongoing legal maneuvers by President Trump and Attorney General Bondi, who have been working to keep Habba in her position despite the court’s decision to replace her. The arcane federal vacancy laws governing these roles have allowed the judges to vote on whether to extend Habba’s term or replace her with someone else, a process that has led to a series of rapid-fire decisions. The outcome of this situation remains uncertain, as the DOJ has not yet confirmed a new appointee for the U.S. attorney position in New Jersey.