Alina Habba Steps Down Amid Controversy Over U.S. Attorney Appointment
In a surprising move, Alina Habba, a prominent figure known for her legal work with former President Trump, has resigned from her position as New Jersey’s top federal prosecutor. The decision follows a recent court ruling that deemed her appointment unlawful.
Alina Habba speaks during a panel discussion at the Conservative Political Action Conference in February 2025 in Oxon Hill, Md. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Her resignation follows a statement shared on social media, where Habba emphasized that her choice was made to safeguard the “stability and integrity” of the U.S. attorney’s office. “This decision will not weaken the Justice Department and it will not weaken me,” she assured, noting her continued role as the senior advisor to the attorney general for U.S. attorneys.
The Department of Justice faces a series of legal defeats, with courts ruling that certain U.S. attorneys were appointed unlawfully. Similar cases have surfaced in Nevada, California, and Virginia.
Habba, widely recognized for her role as one of Trump’s personal attorneys, was nominated by Trump to be the acting U.S. attorney for New Jersey earlier this year. Despite her interim appointment, she was unable to secure Senate confirmation for a permanent position.
With her temporary term nearing its end, the U.S. District Court for New Jersey chose Desiree Grace, a seasoned prosecutor, to take over the role. However, Attorney General Pam Bondi dismissed Grace, leading to a complex legal struggle to reinstate Habba.
This legal battle reached a turning point when a three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit unanimously ruled against Habba’s appointment. This decision effectively disqualified her from overseeing cases, resulting in significant disruptions in New Jersey’s federal courts.
Attorney General Bondi criticized the court’s decision, stating, “The court’s ruling has made it untenable for her to effectively run her office, with politicized judges pausing trials designed to bring violent criminals to justice.” Bondi further indicated that the department will pursue further legal review, expressing confidence in a reversal of the decision.
