Alina Habba Retains Role as Acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Amid DOJ Approval

• Alina Habba was cleared by the Justice Department to continue as the highest-ranking federal prosecutor in New Jersey
• Her interim tenure as U.S. attorney was to end on Friday
• She posted on social media that she will remain New Jersey's acting U.S. attorney

The Department of Justice on Thursday approved Alina Habba to stay on as New Jersey's senior federal prosecutor. Alina's service as acting U.S. attorney was to expire on Friday. But in a social media posting, she said she would become acting U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey. That move enables her to stay in command of the office for at least the next 210 days.

Earlier, President Trump had nominated Alina for the permanent U.S. attorney role. Under the federal statute, that nomination would have disqualified her from serving in an acting role. But in line with a Justice Department spokesperson, the White House revoked the nomination, which allowed her to take up the acting role.

In a statement, White House press secretary Harrison Fields stated, "President Trump maintains full confidence in Alina Habba and her dedication to serving the people of New Jersey."

Alina is one of the most visible new U.S. attorneys hired by President Trump, who has assumed unprecedented authority over the Justice Department. Legal analysts say that what happened recently may have wider national consequences. Jennifer Selin, an Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law professor, said that the Trump administration is applying these unorthodox appointments to "push the boundaries" and "set their own precedent."

Earlier in the week, federal judges had selected veteran prosecutor Desiree Leigh Grace as their choice for U.S. attorney. But within days of her being named, the Justice Department revealed that Grace had been dismissed, claiming the judges had acted politically and reaffirming their support for Alina.

Desiree announced on social media Wednesday that she was complimented by the judges' choice and, in spite of being fired, was prepared to accept the job. "It will forever be the greatest honor," she typed, "that I was chosen based on merit."

Alina, a one-time attorney for President Trump, was a complete novice to prosecution when appointed to a 120-day temporary term in late March. Her tenure has been characterized by high-profile investigations aimed at Democrats and her vocal intention of making the historically blue state red.

For the last few days, Alina had remained absent from the office, and prosecutors were left in doubt about leadership. The uncertainty caused operations to be disrupted, with grand jury presentations and plea hearings delayed for fear that defense lawyers could object to the legitimacy of legal papers signed during the leadership vacuum.