Republican Activists Defend Attorney Amid Controversy
Legal activists from the Republican Party have lodged complaints to support U.S. attorney Alina Haba following a call from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries for her removal by a federal district judge.
Jeffries has raised concerns about Haba due to her decision to charge New Jersey Representative Lamonica McQuiver for obstructing homeland security agents during a confrontation at an immigration facility in Newark on May 9. McQuiver has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for trial on November 10.
In a post on X, Jeffries expressed his displeasure, stating, “A so-called U.S. lawyer in New Jersey has indicted malicious lawmaker Ramonica McQuiver for doing her job.”
Jeffries also emphasized that a U.S. District Court judge “must deny” Haba’s position. In response over the weekend, the Article III Project submitted an ethics complaint against Jeffries, alleging he was “improperly inserting” himself into criminal matters. They called this a clear act of corruption.
Haba, previously a legal spokesperson for Trump’s campaign, was appointed by Attorney General Pam Bondy in March and has the Senate’s backing. If New Jersey’s federal judges decide to maintain her role, she could serve through Trump’s presidency. Notably, 15 of the 17 sitting judges in New Jersey were appointed by Democratic presidents.
The complaint against Jeffries pointed out that House members, particularly Democratic leaders, should not interfere with ongoing criminal cases for political gain.
McQuiver and two other members of Congress were on oversight visits during protests related to immigration when tensions with federal agents escalated.
In a recent press release from the Department of Justice, Newark’s Mayor Ras Baraka entered a restricted area of the Delaney Hall immigration facility. According to reports, he ignored warnings to leave, which led to officers attempting to apprehend him. McQuiver intervened, allegedly blocking the officers and causing a physical altercation.
The charges against McQuiver could result in a maximum sentence of eight years for each of the first two counts, with the third carrying a potential one-year sentence.
Additionally, the Campaign for Accountability, a liberal watchdog group, has filed a complaint against Haba related to the charges brought against McQuiver and Mayor Baraka. Fox News Digital has reached out to Jeffries’ office for further comment.
