The Department of Justice fired an alternative U.S. attorney for the Alina Haba area in New Jersey shortly after a district court judge voted to appoint her top assistant as her replacement.
In a post on X, Attorney General Pam Bondi praised Haba, noting that the New Jersey-born lawyer is “doing a great job” to enhance national security. However, she remarked that “a politically motivated judge refused” to let Haba continue in her role.
“As a result, New Jersey’s first assistant U.S. attorney has just been let go,” Bondi stated. “This Department of Justice will not tolerate fraudulent judges, especially when it undermines the authority of the President’s core Article II powers.”
Bondi’s announcement followed the judge’s decision to replace Haba, with Desiree Grace stepping in. The replacement happened because Haba’s provisional term of 120 days had come to an end.
Grace, who has served as a federal prosecutor since 2016, was appointed as Haba’s first assistant and previously worked as the Chief of the Criminal Affairs Department.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche reacted to Bondi’s statement regarding the political situation in New Jersey, asserting, “This just shows this is not about the law.”
“They pushed out President Trump’s choice, @usattyhabba, and then colluded with New Jersey senators to install her deputy,” Blanche remarked. “That isn’t how things should work. We swiftly acted to remove the proxy under the president’s authority.”
Earlier in March, President Donald Trump appointed Haba, who comes from an Iraqi family, as the interim U.S. attorney for New Jersey, succeeding John Giordano, who was set to become ambassador to Namibia.
Just earlier this month, Trump nominated Haba for a complete four-year term in her position. Yet, New Jersey Senators Corey Booker (D) and Andy Kim (D) indicated they would not support her confirmation, as reported by the Washington Post. The Senate has yet to confirm her.
