Court blocks Alina Habba's tenure as US attorney in New Jersey

Alina Habba's term as acting U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey was cut short Tuesday after district court judges voted against extending her tenure. Just days before her 120-day appointment expired, the court decided to temporarily replace her with Desiree Grace, a career civil servant who has worked in that office since 2016 and served as Habba's chief assistant.

The decision puts the brakes on plans by President Donald Trump, who had nominated Habba for a four-year position this month. Her nomination aimed to strengthen the state's tougher stance against crime. Police groups had endorsed her, highlighting her commitment to safety and her direct approach to crime.

A hard-line prosecutor with no previous experience

Habba, known nationally for her role as Trump's personal attorney and legal spokeswoman during his campaign, assumed the interim position with the backing of the Department of Justice and the White House. However, her arrival was marked by controversy from the start, including her decision to order the arrest of Democratic Newark Mayor Ras Baraka in May for an alleged invasion of an immigration detention center.

Although the charges were quickly dropped, a federal judge publicly criticized the action, insinuating that Habba acted with political motivations. Baraka, in turn, filed a defamation lawsuit against her.

Her public statements also contributed to the polarization. On a conservative podcast, Habba claimed that her goal was to help "turn New Jersey red," a claim that her critics viewed as evidence that she sought to politicize the prosecution's work.

Senate hurdles and judicial pushback

Despite Trump's support, Habba's confirmation for a full term became unfeasible after the state's Democratic senators, Cory Booker and Andy Kim, refused to grant her the necessary endorsement under the senatorial tradition of the "blue slip," an informal but determinative practice in federal nominations.

Senator Booker welcomed Grace's appointment as a temporary replacement and issued a statement stressing the need for a prosecutor "who will enforce the law without fear or favor."

Meanwhile, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche denounced the district judges' decision as a move motivated by a "left-wing agenda." In a statement posted on X, Blanche accused the court of acting as a political body rather than a judicial one. "Alina is President Trump’s choice to lead — and no partisan bench can override that," he wrote.