From ABC News: President Donald Trump’s attempt to ensure his pick remains in charge of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey has taken a new twist.
On Thursday, one day before Alina Habba’s tenure as the Interim United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey was set to expire, the White House withdrew her nomination for the post.
Habba then announced on social media that she is now the Acting United States Attorney, seemingly restarting the clock on what is usually a 120-day temporary term. Trump first appointed Habba as the state’s interim U.S. attorney in March.
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The unorthodox legal maneuver appears to end a stalemate that began when federal judges in New Jersey selected Desiree Leigh Grace, an experienced federal prosecutor, over Habba, the president’s former personal attorney and choice to lead the office. The Department of Justice quickly stated that it fired Grace, leaving unclear who would take over the office.
The report explained that the Trump administration has taken advantage “of a section of the Federal Vacancies Reform Act, which allows an acting officer to serve in a position for no more than 210 days if no one is nominated to the position.”
Habba laid it all out in a post on X Thursday. She wrote:
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.I don’t cower to pressure. I don’t answer to politics. This is a fight for justice. And I’m all in. 🇺🇸
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.
I don’t cower to pressure. I don’t answer to politics.
This is a fight for justice. And I’m all in. 🇺🇸
— US Attorney Habba (@USAttyHabba) July 24, 2025
President Trump’s attempt to ensure his pick remains in charge of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey has taken a new twist. https://t.co/cM8wSGrpR6
— ABC News (@ABC) July 25, 2025
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