New Jersey US attorney post: Alina Habba or Desiree Leigh Grace? Justice department clash with federal judges over lawyers in contention
The New Jersey US attorney's office was in embroiled in confusion and chaos on Tuesday when top Justice Department officials contested federal judges' appointment of a new US attorney.
The federal judges dismissed Alina Habba's request to maintain her position and exercised their unusual authority to select Desiree Leigh Grace, an experienced prosecutor whom Habba had previously appointed as her first assistant in March.
However, Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a social media statement supporting Habba, announcing that Grace "has just been removed." Todd Blanche, the deputy attorney general, criticised the judges' actions, suggesting collusion with New Jersey's Democratic senators.
Grace received notification of her termination via email on Tuesday, according to a source familiar with the situation, according to New York Times. This swift series of events could escalate into another full-blown clash between the Trump administration and federal judiciary.
The judges' ruling, following a private vote on Monday, challenged Trump's emphasis on loyalty within the Justice Department. Despite Grace's potential appointment requiring adherence to Washington's Justice officials, Tuesday's response indicated resistance to leadership not directly chosen by the president.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Up to 70% off | Shop Sale
Libas
Undo
Chief Judge Renée Marie Bumb, a George W. Bush nominee, signed Grace's appointment order. After Grace's dismissal, Bumb's office stated "the court will have no comment."
Who is Justice department backed Alina Habba?
Grace's career in the Newark office began in 2016, progressing from acting chief of violent crimes in August 2020 to criminal division chief in March 2024.
Habba, aged 41, served as one of President Trump's foremost legal allies, representing him in multiple high-profile civil and criminal cases.
In 2023, she became counsel to Trump's Save America PAC and subsequently joined his inner circle as 'counsellor to the president.'
Born in Summit, New Jersey, Habba graduated from Kent Place School in 2002. She obtained a bachelor's degree from Lehigh University and a law degree from Widener University Commonwealth Law School. Before working with Trump, she specialised in civil litigation and corporate law in private practice.
Habba also clerked for Judge Eugene J Codey Jr. at the Civil Division of the Superior Court in Newark and was formerly the managing partner at Habba Madaio & Associates in Bedminster.
A mother of three, Habba described herself at the Republican National Convention in July as a 'devout Catholic, a proud first-generation Arab American woman and a feisty Jersey girl.'
Who is Federal Judges' choice Desiree Leigh Grace?
Desiree Leigh Grace, known as 'Desi' to colleagues, is a seasoned federal prosecutor who joined the US attorney's office for the District of New Jersey in 2016.
A graduate of the University of Maryland and Seton Hall Law School, Grace quickly rose through the ranks, leading the violent crimes unit in 2020 and later the criminal division, which she officially headed by March 2024, according to NYT.
She has handled major cases involving gang violence and health care fraud and received a standing ovation at a 2024 alumni dinner, underscoring her respect within the legal community.
Before joining the government, she clerked for top judges and worked at McCarter & English. In April 2025, Trump-appointed interim US attorney Alina Habba named Grace as her first assistant, a move widely supported within the office.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
19 minutes ago
- Time of India
Sana Raees Khan on the quashing of FIR against Tanu Weds Manu producer: This judgment protects countless others from malicious prosecution
Sana Raees Khan and Shailesh R Singh The Supreme Court recently quashed a cheating case filed against Bollywood producer Shailesh R Singh, known for films like Tanu Weds Manu . The court observed that monetary recovery cannot be sought through criminal proceedings or police intervention, stating that such disputes should be resolved through appropriate civil mechanisms. The bench also expressed displeasure at the manner in which the Allahabad High Court dealt with Singh's petition to quash the FIR lodged by complainant Kunal Jain. T he dispute arose after the film Lady Killer, produced by Singh, underperformed at the box office. The complainant, who had invested money in the project, allegedly failed to recover his investment with interest and subsequently filed a criminal case. Advocate Sana Raees Khan, representing Singh, argued that the FIR stemmed from a civil dispute that had been wrongly given a criminal colour. She pointed out that Singh is the co-founder and production head of a company engaged in the production of motion pictures, and that a commercial disagreement was being misrepresented as a criminal offence. Khan told the court that the FIR did not disclose any prima facie case of cheating or criminal intent. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas in Dubai | Search Ads Get Info Undo She argued, 'In order to constitute the offence of cheating, there must be evidence indicating that the accused intended to deceive the complainant right from the beginning. A plain reading of the FIR, which alleges that an amount of ₹9.56 crore is due from the petitioner, fails to establish any element of criminality. ' She further highlighted that the High Court had directed Singh to undergo mediation and deposit ₹25 lakh in advance with the complainant before mediation proceedings — a move she said prejudged the outcome and undermined the very purpose of the quashing petition. Commenting on the outcome, Sana told us, 'This landmark judgment not only protects my client Shailesh Singh but also offers relief to countless others facing malicious prosecutions. I am proud to have led this legal battle and secured a precedent that upholds the sanctity of criminal justice. It's a verdict that will resonate far beyond this case. I remain deeply respectful of the judiciary's wisdom.'
Time of India
27 minutes ago
- Time of India
Landmark ICJ verdict on climate change: Inaction by nations is illegal; reparations possible
Activists protest outside top UN court ahead of climate change advisory ruling. (AP photo) United Nations's top court has said that inaction on climate change could be unlawful. The international court of justice (ICJ) said on Wednesday that countries may be breaching international law if they fail to take meaningful steps to protect the climate. It also opened the door for reparations to countries already affected by the crisis. Court president Yuji Iwasawa called the climate emergency 'an existential problem of planetary proportions' and warned that ignoring it could amount to a 'wrongful act' under international law. Activists celebrated outside the court. The case was led by the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu and supported by more than 130 countries. After years of pressure from vulnerable island states, the UN general assembly had asked the ICJ in 2023 to give its opinion. A panel of 15 judges answered two key questions: what are states legally required to do to protect the environment, and what happens if they don't? The court's opinion, over 500 pages long, said that every person has a right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. It's a human right. The statement alone could be used in domestic and international courts. Experts say this could shape future lawsuits, investment treaties, and even climate policies. Vanuatu's attorney general reminded judges that his people's survival was at stake. Sea levels in parts of the Pacific were rising faster than the global average. Global temperatures have already increased by 1.3°C since pre-industrial times. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo UN's top court says failing to tackle climate change 'could violate international law' Some countries, like the US and Russia, have opposed any court-mandated emission cuts. But ICJ's opinion adds to growing legal pressure. Earlier this month, the Inter-American court of human rights ruled that countries must avoid environmental harm and restore damaged ecosystems. Last year, the European court of human rights made a similar call. In 2019, the Dutch supreme court became the first to link climate change and human rights, ruling the government must protect citizens from its effects. Though the ICJ ruling is not legally binding, it marks a significant shift in climate law. The court itself admitted that law alone cannot solve the crisis, but said it plays an 'important' role in shaping global responsibility.
Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Time of India
Kerala HC stays order granting nod for idol installation by private party at Sabarimala temple premises
Kochi: High court has stayed for two weeks the Travancore Devaswom Board's (TDB) order granting permission to a private party to install a Panchaloha Vigraham (idol) of Lord Ayyappa within the Sabarimala temple premises, along with all further proceedings related to it. A bench of Justices Anil K Narendran and S Muralee Krishna passed the interim order based on a report filed by the Sabarimala special commissioner. The report stated that TDB had granted permission for installing the idol to E K Sahadevan, the chairman of Lotus Multispecialty Hospital and IVF Fertility Centre, Erode. It was further alleged that Sahadevan had circulated pamphlets seeking donations for the idol installation. On Wednesday, HC directed the Sabarimala chief police coordinator to ensure that a case is registered in connection with the alleged illegal fund collection, noting that the TDB had not yet filed a complaint. HC also ordered measures to prevent the withdrawal of funds already collected by Sahadevan or any other person for the installation. The matter was adjourned for further consideration after a week. At the previous hearing, HC had directed that notice be issued to Sahadevan via email, but no one appeared on his behalf on Wednesday. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like How To Reduce Debt Over R100,000 (Without Another Loan) ExpertMoney Learn More Undo The registry has now been directed to serve fresh notice by speed post. Upon examining the files related to the issue, HC noted that Sahadevan submitted a request on May 21, which was placed before TDB for consideration. TDB's note included an endorsement from its president dated July 1, granting permission for the installation. However, the bench observed that although the devaswom commissioner was required to submit a report on the request, no such report was received. The file also did not indicate whether the opinion of the tantri had been sought before making the decision. HC strongly criticised the TDB's casual approach to such a sensitive matter. It orally questioned whether TDB had taken any steps beyond issuing an advisory on the Virtual Q platform. "If a private party is soliciting money, TDB must file a complaint with the police," HC observed.
