Federal Judges Reject Trump’s Prosecutor Appointment

A panel of federal judges decided on Tuesday not to allow Trump to keep Alina Haba as New Jersey’s top prosecutor.

When Haba’s interim term of 120 days lapsed, the court appointed Desiree Leigh Grace as the interim U.S. attorney, as noted by Chief Judge Rene Marie Bamb of the U.S. District Court for New Jersey.

In response to the judges’ ruling, Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a statement from the Department of Justice hours later, referring to Grace as a substitute for Haba.

Bondi emphasized, “This Department of Justice does not tolerate fraudulent judges, especially when they threaten the president’s powers under Article II.”

Interestingly, most judges in the New Jersey area lean Democratic. Federal law does allow district courts to appoint a U.S. attorney when an interim appointment concludes.

Trump previously named Haba, who had worked as his lawyer, to serve as a temporary U.S. attorney in March, and he nominated her for a permanent role starting July 1. However, her nomination has yet to be confirmed by the Senate.

A request for comments from the U.S. law firm representing New Jersey went unanswered.

Assistant Attorney General Todd Blanche suggested the judges were hastily pushing for a decision before the Friday deadline.

He stated, “Their rush unveils what this has always been: a left-wing agenda, not the rule of law.” When judges behave like activists, it shakes our trust in the judicial system. Alina was chosen by President Trump, and a partisan bench can’t overturn that.”

Previously, Bondi voiced her support on social media, stating that Haba was a key asset to the DOJ, doing “an outstanding job in New Jersey.”

Blanche also expressed that Haba had the full confidence of the president and DOJ, noting her steady leadership during her time as interim U.S. attorney.

Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called for a rejection of Haba, pointing out an ongoing lawsuit involving Democratic New Jersey Rep. Lamonica McIver, who faces allegations related to her actions outside immigration facilities.

Jeffries remarked, “This so-called U.S. attorney in New Jersey has prosecuted lawmaker Ramonica McQuiver for simply doing her job.” He criticized Haba as an “unqualified political hack” who needed to go.

Earlier this month, a panel of federal judges in the Upstate District of New York rejected another nominee from the Trump administration, John Salcone, for a similar interim U.S. attorney role.