U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has spoken out in defense of Alina Habba following a decision by a panel of federal judges in New Jersey to block the continuation of Habba’s role as the state’s top federal prosecutor.
Habba had been serving as U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey on an interim basis.
Bondi expressed her support for Habba on social media, writing, “My friend @USAttyHabba is doing outstanding work in New Jersey — she makes @thejusticedept proud.”
She added that Habba had “been doing a great job in making NJ safe again,” referencing what she described as positive results during Habba’s short tenure.
The comments came after a group of district judges in New Jersey invoked a rarely used provision to prevent Habba from continuing in her position after the expiration of her 120-day interim term.
The panel used statutory authority that allows district court judges to appoint a replacement when no Senate-confirmed nominee has been installed by the end of an interim term, according to Politico.
Instead of permitting Habba to remain in the role, the judges selected Desiree Leigh Grace, the First Assistant U.S. Attorney in the district, to fill the position.
Grace’s appointment was made official through a court order that was posted on the judiciary’s public website.
The document did not specify an exact timeline for when Grace would assume the role but indicated that the change could take effect immediately or after a short delay.
Bondi responded to the judges’ decision by stating, “@USAttyHabba has been doing a great job in making NJ safe again. Nonetheless, politically minded judges refused to allow her to continue in her position, replacing Alina with the First Assistant.”
Bondi added, “Accordingly, the First Assistant United States Attorney in New Jersey has just been removed. This Department of Justice does not tolerate rogue judges — especially when they threaten the President’s core Article II powers.”
The decision by the judges comes amid ongoing tension between the federal judiciary and members of the executive branch, particularly those affiliated with former President Donald Trump.
Habba is a longtime ally of Trump, having served as one of his personal attorneys.
She also held the position of counselor to the president, making her one of the few former Trump legal representatives to take on a senior role within the Justice Department.
Habba was appointed to the U.S. Attorney post in March by the Department of Justice, with the backing of the White House.
Her appointment was made on an interim basis, with the intention that she would remain in the role until the Senate could confirm a permanent nominee.
The Senate, however, has not yet held a confirmation hearing for Habba, nor for a number of other DOJ nominees currently awaiting consideration.
The judges’ decision to bypass the White House’s preference has led to backlash within the administration, according to Politico.
A senior official in the Department of Justice was quoted as saying, “This Department of Justice does not tolerate rogue judges — especially when they threaten the President’s core Article II powers.”
The post Bondi Immediately Pushes Back After Fed Judges Oust Trump Ally Alina Habba from Top Prosecutor Role appeared first on Resist the Mainstream.
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Author: Jordyn M.
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