U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi fired the newly appointed interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey just hours after a panel of federal judges—under pressure from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY)—refused to extend the term of Alina Habba, a Trump ally.
Habba, who was serving as interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, is scheduled to leave office at 11:59 p.m. Friday after the judges voted not to retain her. The decision followed a public campaign by Jeffries to remove her over her recent indictment of Democrat Rep. LaMonica McIver.
“Alina Habba is a woefully unqualified political hack who has to go,” Jeffries posted on X.“She must be rejected by the Federal District Court judges who are considering whether to retain her.”
Following the judges’ vote on Tuesday, Chief District Judge Renée Marie Bumb signed an order appointing First Assistant Desiree Leigh Grace to take over the role.
Bondi Responds Swiftly: “Removed”
Attorney General Bondi, wasting no time, announced that Grace had been fired within hours of the appointment.
“@USAttyHabba has been doing a great job in making NJ safe again,” Bondi wrote on X.“Nonetheless, politically minded judges refused to allow her to continue in her position, replacing Alina with the First Assistant. Accordingly, the First Assistant United States Attorney in New Jersey has just been removed.”
Bondi made it clear that the Department of Justice under President Trump would not tolerate judicial overreach or political interference.
“This Department of Justice does not tolerate rogue judges — especially when they threaten the President’s core Article II powers,” she added.
Habba’s Indictment of Democrat Rep. McIver Sparked Backlash
The controversy began after Habba brought a high-profile indictment against Rep. LaMonica McIver, accusing the Democrat congresswoman of abuse of power and obstruction. Jeffries immediately responded by launching a pressure campaign to remove Habba, rallying support from Obama- and Biden-appointed federal judges.
Despite Habba’s growing reputation for cracking down on corruption and violent crime in the state, the judges chose to side with political pressure rather than performance.
DOJ Power Play
Bondi’s move to remove Grace reasserts the executive branch’s authority over DOJ appointments, especially when interim appointments are made in the absence of Senate confirmation.
Under Article II of the Constitution, the President has broad powers to manage the Justice Department and prevent judicial interference with executive functions.
