Alina Habba steps down from her role as acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey

Alina Haba Resigns as U.S. Attorney for New Jersey

Alina Haba, the U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, has officially announced her resignation. This unexpected news came on a Monday after a federal appeals court determined that her appointment was illegal.

Haba had been appointed by former President Donald Trump in March for an interim term of 120 days. Normally, this role would require Senate confirmation for a permanent position. However, her term lapsed without any extension from a federal district judge or confirmation from the Senate. In August, a district court ruled against her authority following a challenge related to a criminal case she was involved in.

On December 1, a panel of three judges concluded that Haba’s appointment breached the Federal Vacancy Reform Act (FVRA).

In a detailed statement shared on her social media, Haba expressed that she was resigning to maintain the stability and integrity of the office. She emphasized, “But don’t mistake obedience for submission. This decision does not weaken the Department of Justice, and it will not weaken me.”

Despite her resignation, Haba will remain a senior advisor to the U.S. Attorney General at the Department of Justice (DOJ). Attorney General Pam Bondi mentioned that Haba would continue to have a significant influence over federal prosecutors across the nation, including in New Jersey.

Bondi also shared her own thoughts on Haba’s resignation, stating she was saddened by the decision and would continue exploring options to challenge the court’s ruling and potentially restore Haba to her position.