by Alex Lloyd Gross
In a word of politics and justice, Alina Habba has carved out a niche for herself as a lightning rod for controversy. This was supposed to be her last week as US Attorney in New Jersey. The key words were supposed to be. She was the interim US Attorney appointed in March by President Trump. That term ran out as it was only valid for 120 days.
She was going to step down, and her chief deputy, Desiree Leigh Grace would take over. That was until US Attorney General Pam Bondi fired Grace. That set the stage for the next round.
Trump’s team withdrew Habba’s nomination for the permanent role—allowing her to resign as interim U.S. Attorney, then be appointed First Assistant U.S. Attorney, and automatically ascend to the role of acting U.S. Attorney under relevant vacancy laws, extending her tenure for another 210 days.
Habba was Trumps personal attorney and helped him in his court battles. She was seen as a tenacious and zealous litigator by some and as an annoyance by others.
That controversy did not stop when she took office, having Mayor Ras Baraka of Newark charged after he tried to gain entry to an immigration facility. US Congresswoman LaMonica McIver was charged in that same incident with assaulting a federal agent. Baraka had his charges dropped. McIver’s still stand.
For the next 210 days, Habba will remain the US Attorney for the state of New Jersey.