Defendants in New Jersey are challenging Alina Habba’s authority as U.S. Attorney, leading to halted criminal cases and confusion in the court system. At the heart of the conflict is a power struggle between President Trump and federal judges who attempted to appoint someone else.
Key Facts:
- President Donald Trump reappointed Alina Habba as Acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey after her interim term expired.
- Federal judges had selected Habba’s assistant, Desiree Grace, to replace her, but Bondi fired Grace and reinstated Habba.
- Defendants in a drug case claim the government can’t prosecute them without a legally appointed U.S. Attorney.
- Some judges have halted criminal proceedings, calling the legality of Habba’s role into question.
- The Justice Department maintains Habba was lawfully appointed and is serving legally.
The Rest of The Story:
Criminal proceedings across New Jersey are now stalled due to a legal dispute over who holds the authority to serve as the U.S. Attorney.
Defendants Julien Giraud Jr. and Julien Giraud III are pushing back against prosecution, arguing that only a “validly appointed” attorney can proceed.
The dispute has already led one judge to transfer the case to Pennsylvania and others to delay non-urgent hearings.
The Justice Department filed paperwork affirming that President Trump legally reappointed Habba after her interim term expired.
Her reappointment followed Bondi’s firing of Desiree Grace, who had been named to the role by New Jersey’s district judges.
Grace received two letters on July 26—one from a White House aide and one from the Executive Office of U.S. Attorneys—stating she was fired and could not serve.
“You were removed from employment with the District of New Jersey and from federal service,” wrote General Counsel Jay Macklin.
With her removal, Trump’s appointment power is being tested, and many courtrooms are now caught in limbo.
🚨 BREAKING: Attorney General Pam Bondi just FIRED the replacement for US Attorney Alina Habba after New Jersey liberal judges colluded to kick Habba out of her position.
THAT'S how you fight against rogue judges.
Habba is set to be replaced by the "First Assistant." Bondi… pic.twitter.com/i2NbSH1FYf
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) July 22, 2025
Commentary:
This situation didn’t need to happen.
The Senate had one job: confirm Alina Habba as U.S. Attorney. They didn’t, and now the entire justice system in New Jersey is being dragged into chaos.
Instead of acting decisively, the Senate punted, opening the door for judges to appoint someone else—Desiree Grace.
But that move was swiftly rejected when Bondi stepped in, removed Grace, and reinstalled Habba.
The president is well within his rights to make that appointment. The Justice Department has affirmed it.
Yet judges are now using a lawsuit brought by a drug dealer’s attorney to effectively shut down the criminal court system.
What’s worse is that the judges are reacting like political players rather than impartial arbiters of justice.
They’re choosing to freeze criminal cases, creating real consequences for victims, communities, and law enforcement.
This isn’t about “doing the right thing for clients”—it’s about flexing institutional muscle in a power play against the president.
The courts were never meant to override presidential authority this way. It’s a dangerous precedent.
If district judges can block federal law enforcement over a personnel disagreement, where does that leave the rule of law?
The Senate’s inaction created a power vacuum, but instead of filling it constructively, the judiciary has decided to grind justice to a halt.
Confirming Habba would restore order immediately.
This circus benefits no one—except the criminals watching their cases get delayed.
The Bottom Line:
Alina Habba’s reappointment by President Trump has triggered a legal battle that’s now paralyzing federal criminal cases in New Jersey.
Judges object to her reinstatement and are slowing down prosecutions, despite the Justice Department confirming her legal status.
All of this could be resolved if the Senate simply confirmed her.
Until then, criminals benefit while the justice system stalls.
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