NJ Prosecutor Chaos: Trump Ally Habba Out, Judges Clash, DOJ Fires Replacement!
A bizarre legal and political battle is unfolding in New Jersey over the position of U.S. Attorney. The controversy centers around Alina Habba, a former personal lawyer for President Donald Trump, who was appointed as interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey four months ago by Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Habba's tenure has been marked by controversy, with accusations of pursuing politically motivated prosecutions against elected Democrats, including Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and US Rep. LaMonica McIver. Critics have pointed to Habba's lack of prior experience as a prosecutor as a major concern.
Judges Step In, Bondi Fires Replacement
As Habba's 120-day interim appointment neared its end, New Jersey's federal judges took the unusual step of naming Desiree Leigh Grace as the new U.S. Attorney. This move effectively declined to extend Habba's term. However, the situation took another dramatic turn when Attorney General Bondi announced that Grace had been fired.
Bondi defended Habba's performance, claiming she was "doing a great job making NJ safe again" and accused "politically minded judges" of interfering. She further stated that the Department of Justice would not tolerate "rogue judges" who threaten the President's powers.
DOJ Accusations of 'Left-Wing Agenda'
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche echoed Bondi's sentiments, suggesting that the "rush" to replace Habba was driven by a "left-wing agenda, not the rule of law." The Justice Department is reportedly planning to reinstall Habba in some capacity, similar to a previous situation with the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York.
- Accusations of political motivations on both sides.
- Unusual intervention by federal judges.
- DOJ's strong defense of Trump's appointee.
The situation remains fluid, with legal challenges and further political maneuvering expected. The U.S. Attorney's office has yet to comment on the matter. This unprecedented series of events has raised serious questions about the independence of the Justice Department and the role of politics in the appointment of federal prosecutors.