DOJ Quickly Removes Alina Habba’s Replacement as U.S. Attorney in New Jersey
The Trump Department of Justice (DOJ) quickly moved to fire Alina Habba's replacement after district court judges voted Tuesday against keeping her in her position, casting doubt on Habba's future as New Jersey's top prosecutor.
The judges have the power to either vote to prolong Habba's term or select a new U.S. attorney when her 120-day term ends this week.
The New Jersey bench of judges, the majority of whom were nominated by Democratic presidents, announced on Tuesday that they had decided to replace Habba with Habba's top assistant and career prosecutor Desiree Grace. However, in a surprising turn of events, the department promptly dismissed Grace, leaving the question of who would take her place unanswered.
Grace's termination, said to Attorney General Pam Bondi, should serve as a reminder that the DOJ "does not tolerate rogue judges — especially when they threaten the President's core Article II powers."
Bondi commented, ".@USAttyHabba has been doing a great job in making NJ safe again," on X. "But politically biased judges wouldn't let her stay in her role, so the First Assistant took Alina's place. As a result, the New Jersey First Assistant United States Attorney was just fired.
Shortly after becoming the U.S. attorney, Habba, who was President Donald Trump's personal attorney and campaign spokesperson, caused controversy.
Ras Baraka, the Democratic mayor of Newark, was arrested by her in May on suspicion of trespassing in an immigration detention center. However, Habba promptly retracted the allegations, and a judge chastised her for the action, implying that she was trying to "satisfy public clamor." Habba is now being sued by Baraka for defamation.
Trump nominated Habba for the full four-year term earlier this month, indicating his desire to retain her as U.S. attorney. Additionally, Habba received support from a number of law enforcement organizations that hailed her as a tough prosecutor who would give priority to street crime.
As part of the Senate's "blue slip" tradition, Habba's path to Senate confirmation has been, at best, rocky since both of New Jersey's Democratic senators, Andy Kim and Cory Booker, declined to recommend her favorably. Although it is uncommon, the Senate may disregard the courtesy.
Booker congratulated Grace before she was fired.
"I respect the District Court’s decision today to exercise its authority to appoint a new United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey and congratulate Desiree Grace, who has served as a prosecutor in the office since 2016, on her appointment," Booker wrote on X, noting that New Jersey residents deserve a lawyer "who will enforce the law without fear or favor."
At first, it was unclear who would take Habba's place. The U.S. attorney for the Northern District of New York, who had been in a similar predicament to Habba's, was unexpectedly reinstated by Trump. Fox News Digital requested a response from the White House.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche defended Habba, claiming that her term did not expire until Friday and that the judges in the New Jersey district court were "trying to force out" Habba early.
"Their rush reveals what this was always about: a left-wing agenda, not the rule of law," Blanche stated. Judges who behave actively erode public trust in our legal system. No partisan bench can overrule President Trump's selection of Alina to lead.