Alina Habba new jersey judges delivered a decisive blow to the Trump administration Tuesday, voting against extending her interim appointment as U.S. Attorney, triggering an unprecedented Justice Department response that has left the position in chaos.
Top Justice Department officials announced Tuesday that a deputy to Alina Habba has been “removed” after federal judges declined to extend Habba’s interim role. The dramatic developments unfolded within hours, creating a constitutional showdown between federal judges and the Trump administration.
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Trump’s Pick Faces Judicial Resistance
President Donald Trump, for whom Habba previously served as personal legal counsel, announced her appointment to the role on March 24. The former Trump lawyer’s 120-day interim appointment was set to expire at midnight on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, unless extended by federal judges or Senate confirmation.
The state’s district judges voted to replace Alina Habba with her top assistant, Desiree Leigh Grace, who was serving as New Jersey’s first assistant U.S. attorney. However, this appointment lasted mere hours.
Key Points Summary
- ⚖️ New Jersey federal judges rejected extending Habba’s interim appointment
- 🔥 DOJ immediately fired Grace, Habba’s court-appointed replacement
- ⏰ Constitutional crisis emerges over who controls federal prosecutor positions
- 🏛️ Senate confirmation process stalled by Democratic opposition
- 📅 Timeline dispute over when Habba’s authority actually ended
DOJ Strikes Back Against Alina Habba New Jersey Judges Decision
Hours later, the Department of Justice took the bold move of announcing it had “removed” Grace without announcing who would replace her. Attorney General Pam Bondi’s swift action sent shockwaves through legal circles, highlighting the administration’s determination to maintain control over federal prosecutorial positions.
The Department of Justice quickly fired the newly named US attorney in New Jersey on Tuesday after federal judges in the state declined to extend Alina Habba’s interim appointment. This unprecedented move has created a power vacuum in one of the nation’s most important federal prosecutor offices.
Read also-Alina Habba or Desiree Leigh Grace: Who Holds the Power in Explosive DOJ Showdown?
Senate Confirmation Battle Intensifies
President Trump nominated Habba to the post on July 1. But the Senate Judiciary Committee hasn’t done its usual vetting of her for the position since the state’s two Democratic senators have indicated they will not sign off on her candidacy.
The confirmation process has stalled due to traditional Senate procedures requiring home-state senator approval. This “blue slip” tradition has become a flashpoint in the broader battle over Habba’s appointment.
Constitutional Questions Mount
In a March 24 social media post, Trump named Habba to lead the New Jersey office on an acting basis, saying the decision was “effective immediately”. However, legal experts are questioning the scope of presidential authority over interim appointments when federal judges exercise their traditional oversight role.
The timing dispute adds another layer of complexity. Blanche asserted Habba’s term officially expires at 11:59 p.m. Friday, pegging the timeline differently than the judges’ interpretation of her 120-day appointment period.
Political Implications Escalate
Trump has nominated Habba to take over the position on a permanent basis, but the nomination has not yet advanced in the Senate Judiciary Committee. The political stakes continue rising as both sides dig in for what appears to be a prolonged battle.
Grace, a nine-year career prosecutor, previously ran the New Jersey office’s criminal division, bringing significant experience to the role before her swift removal by the Justice Department.
The unprecedented nature of this standoff between federal judges and the executive branch raises fundamental questions about prosecutorial independence and judicial oversight. As the legal dust settles, observers are watching closely to see how this constitutional crisis will ultimately resolve.
What’s your take on this developing story? Share your thoughts on how this judicial showdown might impact federal prosecutions moving forward.