US Attorney Appointed by New Jersey Judges Removed by DOJ (1)

The Justice Department abruptly removed a prosecutor that federal judges in New Jersey appointed as the state’s US attorney over Alina Habba, who’d served in the role on an acting basis.

Attorney General Pam Bondi posted the move on X on Tuesday just hours after First Assistant US Attorney Desiree Grace was named to replace Habba, who President Donald Trump appointed in March. She’s a former Trump personal attorney.

”.@USAttyHabba has been doing a great job in making NJ safe again,” Bondi said. “Nonetheless, politically minded judges refused to allow her to continue in her position.”

“This Department of Justice does not tolerate rogue judges—especially when they threaten the President’s core Article II powers,” Bondi said.

The US District Court for the District of New Jersey opted to not extend Habba’s expiring tenure in a standing order signed by Chief Judge Renee Marie Bumb.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche elaborated on Grace’s removal from the interim job in a post on X.

“The district judges in NJ just proved this was never about law—it was about politics. They forced out President Trump’s pick, @USAttyHabba, then installed her deputy, colluding with the NJ Senators along the way. It won’t work. Pursuant to the President’s authority, we have removed that deputy, effective immediately. This backroom vote will not override the authority of the Chief Executive,” Blanche said.