Alina Habba's term as Interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, is over after the state's district court judges voted against keeping her in the role, despite endorsements from law enforcement groups and district attorneys. President Donald Trump nominated Habba for the role permanently, but the Senate has not yet acted on the nomination.
Habba's 120-day term was set to expire, and after convening behind closed doors Monday to consider extending her term, the judges voted to replace her with Desiree Grace, a career attorney and Habba's top assistant. Grace will take over the post temporarily beginning Tuesday, according to a court order.
Habba, who served as President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer and legal spokeswoman during his campaign, stirred controversy soon after she ascended to U.S. attorney.
Habba has been instrumental in the investigations and indictments of Democrat politicians, namely City of Newark mayor Ras Baraka, who Habba had arrested in May for his role in protests at an ICE detention facility. Though Habba's office ultimately dropped the charges, Baraka is now suing Habba for defamation. Habba also brought charges against NJ Rep. Monica McIver, who assaulted an ICE officer at another detention facility. McIver is currently under indictment by the Department of Justice. Habba also launched an investigation of Governor Phil Murphy when he made an interesting claim of housing illegal aliens for their protection.
Read More: New: Dem Rep. LaMonica McIver Criminally Charged for Assaulting ICE Agents, and She's Already Crying
But Habba has also been heavily criticized for having no prior prosecutorial experience and politicizing the role, including by saying on a right-wing podcast after she took the job that she hoped to help "turn New Jersey red.".
New Jersey's U.S. Senators, Cory Booker and Andy Kim, both Democrats, have refused to support Habba's nomination.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche posits that this move by the judges, who are mostly appointees of former President Barack Obama, is purely political.
The district court judges in NJ are trying to force out @USAttyHabba before her term expires at 11:59 p.m. Friday. Their rush reveals what this was always about: a left-wing agenda, not the rule of law. When judges act like activists, they undermine confidence in our justice…
— Todd Blanche (@DAGToddBlanche) July 22, 2025
The district court judges in NJ are trying to force out @USAttyHabba before her term expires at 11:59 p.m. Friday. Their rush reveals what this was always about: a left-wing agenda, not the rule of law. When judges act like activists, they undermine confidence in our justice system. Alina is President Trump’s choice to lead—and no partisan bench can override that.
Editor’s Note: The Democrat Party has never been less popular as voters reject its globalist agenda.
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