Federal judges in New Jersey decided against appointing former Trump attorney Alina Habba as the state’s permanent top federal prosecutor. Habba, who previously served as a personal attorney for President Donald Trump, had been acting as the U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey since her appointment by Trump in March. The judges instead named Desiree Leigh Grace as New Jersey’s United States attorney in a brief order issued on Tuesday. Habba, who has been a legal spokesperson for Trump in various cases since his departure from the White House in 2021, was one of several defense attorneys reappointed to positions in his administration this year. Her Senate confirmation was pending when her 120-day term as acting U.S. attorney ended this week. Despite the judges’ decision, there may still be efforts from the Trump administration to push for her confirmation. During her time as U.S. attorney, Habba handled politically sensitive cases, including prosecutions of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver, both Democrats, and challenged New Jersey State Police on immigration enforcement policies related to sanctuary cities.
