Source: Bloomberg
“A federal judge deferred ruling on a New Jersey criminal defendant’s challenge of Alina Habba’s appointment as acting US attorney, saying he wanted to more fully consider the dispute before reaching a decision. The Friday order leaves some uncertainty among New Jersey federal trial courts, where judges earlier this week started pausing criminal matters to allow the legal dispute over Habba’s role play out in court. … Trump in March appointed Habba as an interim US attorney, and under federal law, federal judges can pick a temporary successor when a 120-day interim term expires. Judges in New Jersey tapped Desiree Grace, Habba’s top deputy, to replace her. But the administration responded by firing Grace and appointing Habba as a special attorney and naming her a first assistant, enabling Habba to remain in the office as an acting US attorney.” (08/01/25)