Alina Haba Steps Down as New Jersey’s Top Prosecutor

Alina Haba, a staunch supporter of Donald Trump, is resigning from her role as New Jersey’s chief prosecutor. This decision follows a recent court ruling indicating that Attorney General Pam Bondi had improperly appointed her as U.S. attorney.

On Monday, Bondi announced that Haba would transition to a senior advisory role within the attorney general’s office, where she will supervise U.S. attorneys. Meanwhile, three officials from the Justice Department will assume additional responsibilities in the New Jersey court district following Haba’s departure.

Haba had been serving as Trump’s personal attorney before being appointed as the interim director of the New Jersey office earlier this year. However, after her term ended, there were attempts by the administration to reinstate her. Yet, a panel of three judges ruled last week that federal vacancy laws prevent Trump and the Justice Department from sidestepping the Senate’s confirmation process to keep Haba in her position.

Challenges for Trump’s Appointees

Haba’s exit occurs at a time when Trump is facing difficulties maintaining his appointees in states with Democratic senators, who traditionally seek confirmation from their home state colleagues for U.S. attorneys and district court judges.

In another matter, a federal judge determined that Lindsey Harrigan, a former insurance lawyer and White House aide, had also been improperly appointed as head of the Eastern District of Virginia. The Justice Department dismissed these findings in a statement, defending Harrigan as a “U.S. attorney” who had become a target of judicial bias.

Harrigan had swiftly brought charges against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, but a judge subsequently dismissed both cases, citing Harrigan’s lack of prosecutorial authority.

This is an evolving story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.