Alina Habba Defiant After Judges Move to Oust Her in New Jersey

Alina Habba, a close ally and former defense attorney to President Donald Trump, is refusing to back down after federal judges voted against extending her term as interim U.S. attorney for New Jersey. Habba declared Thursday that she will continue in the role as the acting U.S. attorney, defiantly stating that she does “not cower to pressure.”

“Donald J. Trump is the 47th President. Pam Bondi is the Attorney General. And I am now the Acting United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey,” Habba wrote in a bold statement online. “I don’t cower to pressure. I don’t answer to politics. This is a fight for justice. And I’m all in.”

A Department of Justice spokesman confirmed to Fox News Digital that Habba has transitioned from an “interim” to an “acting” U.S. attorney role, which carries a 210-day term limit. Her interim 120-day term was set to expire Friday. Before the deadline, Habba resigned and was immediately reappointed under the acting designation a move that appears designed to block the judges’ attempt to replace her.

The legal standoff

• New Jersey federal judges recently voted to replace Habba with her deputy, Desiree Grace.

• Attorney General Pam Bondi responded by firing Grace, further complicating the transition.

• Grace, who has served as a prosecutor since 2016, stated on LinkedIn that she still plans to be sworn in as U.S. attorney on Saturday.

Grace wrote, “It has been the honor of a lifetime to represent the United States and to serve the people of New Jersey. Yesterday the District Judges for the District of New Jersey selected me to serve as the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey. It will forever be the greatest honor that they selected me on merit, and I’m prepared to follow that Order and begin to serve in accordance with the law.”

The Trump administration, however, is standing firmly behind Habba. Trump has officially nominated her to serve a full four-year term, but that requires Senate confirmation. New Jersey’s two Democratic senators, Cory Booker and Andy Kim, are blocking her nomination through the Senate’s “blue slip” tradition, preventing the process from moving forward.

Booker, furious after Grace’s firing, accused the Trump administration of overstepping its authority. “The firing of a career public servant, lawfully appointed by the court, is another blatant attempt to intimidate anyone that doesn’t agree with them and undermine judicial independence,” Booker wrote. “This Administration may not like the law, but they are not above it.”

The dispute over who rightfully holds the U.S. attorney post could escalate into a court battle. While the judges have declared Grace as their choice, the Trump administration’s appointment maneuver may supersede their vote under federal vacancy rules. Legal experts say the outcome could set a precedent for future clashes between the judiciary and the executive branch over temporary federal appointments.

Habba, known for her combative legal style, appears unfazed by the controversy. “This is about justice,” she said, signaling that she will continue to serve in the position while her nomination remains pending.

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