The Department of Justice fired Desiree Leigh Grace, Alina Habba’s replacement, hours after New Jersey federal judges chose her over the former United States attorney.
Habba, also counselor to the president, was appointed to the position by President Donald Trump in March and was awaiting Senate confirmation when her 120-day term expired.
“[Habba] has been doing a great job in making NJ safe again,” Attorney General Pam Bondi posted on X. “Nonetheless, politically minded judges refused to allow her to continue in her position, replacing Alina with the First Assistant. Accordingly, the First Assistant United States Attorney in New Jersey has just been removed.”
“This Department of Justice does not tolerate rogue judges — especially when they threaten the President’s core Article II powers,” she added.
Grace was Habba’s first assistant before her elevation to the position. Federal law grants district judges the authority to name a U.S. attorney if the Senate does not act on the nominee within 120 days.
It’s unclear what the Department of Justice’s plans are for Habba or if she will retake the position. Signs point to Habba retaking the spot, but it’s unclear whether they will seek the Senate confirmation process again or try to bypass it.
As U.S. attorney, Habba made her mark with prosecutions against Democrats in Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Rep. LaMonica Iver (D-NJ). The judge in Baraka’s case slammed Habba for bringing the charges.
“The hasty arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, followed swiftly by the dismissal of these trespassing charges a mere 13 days later, suggests a worrying misstep by your office,” U.S. Magistrate Judge André Espinosa said. “An arrest, particularly of a public figure, is not a preliminary investigative tool. It is a severe action, carrying significant reputational and personal consequences, and it should only be undertaken after a thorough, dispassionate evaluation of credible evidence.”
More DOJ officials backed Habba.
ALINA HABBA REPLACED AS NEW JERSEY’S TOP PROSECUTOR
“The district judges in NJ just proved this was never about law—it was about politics,” Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a post on X. “They forced out President Trump’s pick, [Habba], then installed her deputy, colluding with the NJ Senators along the way. It won’t work. Pursuant to the President’s authority, we have removed that deputy, effective immediately. This backroom vote will not override the authority of the Chief Executive.”
Habba reposted Blanche’s statement on X.