On Tuesday, New Jersey Democrats Corey Booker and Andy Kim criticized the Trump administration. They referenced a recent court order regarding Alina Haba’s successor as a temporary US attorney for the state.
The US District Court for the District of New Jersey appointed Haba’s first assistant, Digily Lee Grace, to lead the office when Haba’s 120-day temporary term ended. However, Grace was abruptly removed from her position by the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday.
In a statement, Booker and Kim remarked, “Trump’s Justice Department will again call out courts for exercising their authority, indicating a consistent effort to publicly undermine judicial decisions and disregard the separation of powers.” They continued, “Dismissing career civil servants who were appointed by the court is a blatant effort to intimidate those who oppose them and erode judicial independence. This administration may not agree with the law, but that doesn’t give them the right to overstep.”
DOJ officials accused the Democratic senators of trying to push Haba out. They noted Haba was never confirmed for a permanent position by the judge.
“They removed President Trump’s choice, dismissed @usattyhabba, and allegedly conspired with NJ Senators to elevate her deputy,” a post on Social Platform X pointed out, referring to Booker and Kim.
“Under the president’s authority, we made this removal happen immediately,” an official added, asserting that this maneuver wouldn’t infringe on the president’s power.
Attorney General Pam Bondy remarked that “the politically motivated judge prevented her from continuing in the role.”
Haba faced significant criticism after bringing charges against Mayor Ras Baraka (D) and Rep. Ramonica McQuiver (D-N.J.) linked to an incident at a U.S. Immigration Customs facility in the state.
Both Baraka and McQuiver denied the allegations. Baraka even filed a lawsuit against Haba for damages resulting from his arrest.
A federal judge suggested that the New Jersey mayor’s arrest indicated a “troubling misstep” by Haba’s office, highlighting the “hasty decisions” that led to the withdrawal of what was called “embarrassing” charges.
Booker and Kim concluded, “The people of New Jersey deserve US attorneys who uphold laws free from political bias and pursue true justice for our state.”
