Following the decision by federal judges in the state not to prolong Alina Habba’s temporary appointment, the Department of Justice promptly dismissed the recently appointed US attorney in New Jersey on Tuesday. The statement by Attorney General Pam Bondi followed the district court’s choice to replace the Trump loyalist with Desiree Leigh Grace, New Jersey’s first assistant US attorney.
The First Assistant replaced Alina after politically minded judges refused to let her stay in her role. In light of this, New Jersey’s First Assistant United States Attorney was recently fired. “This Department of Justice does not tolerate rogue judges,” Bondi wrote on X, “especially when they jeopardize the President’s fundamental Article II powers.
The abrupt transition caused uncertainty over the future head of the state’s main federal prosecutor’s office. It is unknown if the district court judges will contest the removal or if Grace’s removal is enforceable. The expiration date of Habba’s appointment is also a source of considerable uncertainty.
Effective July 22, 2025, or ‘upon the expiration of 120 days after appointment by the Attorney General’ of the Interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, whichever is later,” the ruling issued by Chief Judge Renée Marie Bumb said that Grace will be appointed.
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