Alina Habba, the former attorney for Donald Trump, is standing her ground after a panel of federal judges voted to end her interim role as U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey. The court appointed her deputy, Desiree Grace, to take over following the expiration of Habba’s 120-day appointment. However, Attorney General Pam Bondi swiftly dismissed Grace and reaffirmed Habba’s position.
Habba publicly declared that she remains in office and won’t back down under political pressure, stating she is committed to fighting for justice. The legal maneuver to keep her in the role relies on a vacancy statute, but experts have raised concerns over the legality of reassigning her as acting attorney while she awaits formal Senate confirmation.
The move has triggered a wave of criticism due to Habba’s lack of prosecutorial experience and her involvement in politically sensitive cases. Her nomination has also stalled in the Senate, with New Jersey Democrats opposing her confirmation. The ongoing standoff reflects a broader power struggle between the executive branch and the judiciary over control of federal appointments.