Judge Rules Alina Habba’s Appointment as U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Was ‘Unlawful’ – What It Means for Trump’s Legal Legacy

A federal judge has ruled that Alina Habba’s appointment as acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey was illegal. U.S. District Judge Matthew W. Brann stated that her actions since July could be declared void.

Brann’s decision stemmed from how Habba was appointed. President Trump named her as interim U.S. Attorney on March 24, replacing someone appointed just weeks earlier. Although she was sworn in on March 28, interim roles are typically limited to 120 days. Trump nominated her officially on June 30, but the Senate did not move on her nomination.

On July 22, judges from the District Court of New Jersey used their authority to appoint a new U.S. attorney, who was Habba’s deputy. However, Trump’s team was unhappy with this decision. To keep Habba in power, they navigated a complicated legal strategy. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi dismissed Habba’s successor and appointed her as “Special Attorney to the Attorney General.” This chain of events allowed her to continue as acting U.S. Attorney.

Brann found these actions problematic, saying they sidestepped Senate approval and that Habba had not been legally appointed to her deputy role. The ruling came after a challenge from two criminal defendants, asserting that Habba was not qualified to handle their cases. Their lawyers praised the judge’s thorough ruling, emphasizing the importance of following proper appointment procedures.

Interestingly, Brann’s ruling is paused while the Trump administration decides whether to appeal. On the same day, Habba also celebrated a legal win for Trump when an appeals court dismissed a $500 million fraud case against him, calling it politically motivated.

This situation highlights ongoing discussions about legal appointments in the U.S., as judges navigate complex political landscapes. Public interest in such cases has grown, especially on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), where reactions to these events are widespread.



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