Today — a growing clash between the judiciary and the Justice Department over who will lead federal prosecutions in the state of New Jersey. The controversy centers around former Trump legal adviser Alina Habba and a surprising series of firings and political backlash now unfolding.
In a dramatic shake-up, the Department of Justice has dismissed Desiree Grace, the woman chosen by federal judges in New Jersey to replace interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba. The move comes just days before Habba’s temporary 120-day term was set to expire.
Judges on the district bench many of whom were appointed by Democratic presidents — voted Tuesday to appoint Grace, a respected career prosecutor and Habba’s own first assistant. But in a stunning twist, the DOJ swiftly fired Grace shortly after her selection was announced.
Attorney General Pam Bondi defended the abrupt decision, saying — quote — “The DOJ does not tolerate rogue judges, especially when they threaten the President’s core Article II powers.”
The former Trump lawyer, who has never served as a prosecutor prior to her appointment, has faced growing criticism for politicizing the office. Just months ago, Habba made headlines for ordering the arrest of Newark’s mayor, Ras Baraka, in a move widely condemned as politically motivated. Though the charges were dropped, Mayor Baraka is now suing Habba for defamation.
Despite the criticism, former President Donald Trump has doubled down on his support nominating Habba for a full four-year term as U.S. attorney and praising her efforts to, in his words, “make New Jersey safe again.”
But her path to Senate confirmation looks uncertain. Both of New Jersey’s Democratic senators, Cory Booker and Andy Kim, have declined to recommend her a key step in the Senate’s traditional “blue slip” process, which allows home-state senators to weigh in on judicial nominees. Senator Booker praised the judges’ decision to appoint Grace, saying New Jerseyans deserve an attorney “who will enforce the law without fear or favor.”
As of tonight, it remains unclear who will step in to lead the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey. Some speculate that Trump’s team may pursue alternative legal avenues to reappoint Habba as they did in a similar case in New York earlier this year.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a forceful defense of Habba, accusing the judiciary of pushing a partisan agenda and attempting to “force her out” before the end of her legal term.
With high-stakes legal battles, political loyalty tests, and questions about judicial independence, the fight over who leads New Jersey’s federal prosecutions may be just beginning.
We will continue to follow this developing story closely.
Reporting by Katy Moore.
