Alina Habba is standing her ground after federal judges voted not to extend her interim term as U.S. attorney in New Jersey. With strong backing from President Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi, she’s been reappointed as “acting” U.S. attorney and says she’s ready to fight.
Key Facts:
- Federal judges in New Jersey voted not to extend Alina Habba’s interim term as U.S. attorney.
- Trump and AG Pam Bondi reappointed Habba as “acting” U.S. attorney with a 210-day term.
- Habba’s former deputy, Desiree Grace, was chosen by judges but fired by Bondi before taking office.
- Habba has been nominated for the permanent role, but Democrat senators are blocking her confirmation.
- The situation has triggered legal confusion over who legally holds the role.
The Rest of The Story:
Alina Habba, once known as Donald Trump’s personal attorney, is now at the center of a legal and political showdown.
Judges in New Jersey declined to extend her 120-day interim role, choosing instead to install her deputy, Desiree Grace.
But Attorney General Pam Bondi quickly terminated Grace before she could be sworn in.
Rather than exit quietly, Habba resigned her interim position one day early and was reappointed immediately as “acting” U.S. attorney.
That designation gives her up to 210 days in the role, pending further legal or political developments.
“I don’t cower to pressure. I don’t answer to politics. This is a fight for justice. And I’m all in,” Habba declared.
Desiree Grace, who had served as a prosecutor since 2016, publicly expressed disappointment but dignity after being fired.
“It will forever be the greatest honor that [the judges] selected me on merit,” she posted on LinkedIn.
However, the legality of her appointment is now in dispute.
Meanwhile, the Department of Justice acknowledged Habba’s new title but didn’t clarify whether the judges’ vote still carries weight.
Trump has nominated Habba for the permanent post, but her confirmation is stalled by Democrat senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim through the Senate’s “blue slip” tradition.
Senator Booker accused the Trump administration of overreach, stating that firing Grace was “another blatant attempt to intimidate anyone that doesn’t agree with them and undermine judicial independence.”
Donald J. Trump is the 47th President.
Pam Bondi is the Attorney General.
And I am now the Acting United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey.
I don’t cower to pressure. I don’t answer to politics.
This is a fight for justice. And I’m all in. 🇺🇸
— US Attorney Habba (@USAttyHabba) July 24, 2025
Commentary:
Alina Habba is exactly the kind of fighter the justice system needs right now.
She’s not playing games, and clearly neither is President Trump.
When federal judges attempted to sideline her, the Trump administration responded with sharp legal maneuvering and sheer will.
These judges thought they could box her out through procedural tactics.
But thanks to Bondi’s quick decision to remove Grace and Trump’s reappointment of Habba as acting U.S. attorney, the ball is right back in Trump’s court.
That’s what smart leadership looks like—decisive and unflinching.
And let’s talk about the Senate for a moment.
Habba’s permanent nomination is being held up by two Democrat senators from New Jersey, who are abusing a procedural courtesy to block Trump’s pick without even reviewing her qualifications.
If that’s not a disgrace, what is?
This whole mess highlights the need for Republicans in the Senate to step up. If they had any backbone, they’d adjourn and let Trump make recess appointments across the board.
That’s not just strategy—it’s necessity in today’s hyper-partisan environment.
Sadly, too many Republican senators act like they’re more afraid of bad press than they are of betraying their voters.
They need to be reminded that the American people put them in office to support this administration, not to play nice with Democrats.
Habba’s grit is something we should be applauding. She’s taking on entrenched judicial insiders, Senate obstructionists, and partisan critics—all at once.
If the system wants to fight Trump’s team, they’d better be ready for a fight.
The Trump administration isn’t just filling positions—they’re sending a message.
You try to block progress, you’ll get steamrolled. And it’s about time someone in D.C. showed that kind of resolve.
The Bottom Line:
Alina Habba remains at the helm in New Jersey despite efforts to remove her.
Trump and Bondi used the legal tools available to reappoint her, keeping their team intact.
While Democrat senators stall her permanent nomination, Habba continues leading the office with full authority under her acting title.
Her defiance sends a clear message: this administration won’t back down.
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