22-07-2025
Who Is Desiree Grace, New Jersey's Newly Named Top Federal Prosecutor?
A panel of federal judges in New Jersey named Desiree L. Grace as the state's top prosecutor on Tuesday, bypassing Alina Habba, President Trump's former personal lawyer who has been the state's interim U.S. attorney since late March.
Ms. Habba's term runs until Friday, according to the deputy attorney general, Todd Blanche. Ms. Grace may take over after that, though it is not clear whether the White House could seek to overrule the judges and either fight to keep Ms. Habba in place or appoint someone new.
Ms. Grace, who is known as Desi to colleagues, joined the U.S. attorney's office for the District of New Jersey in 2016, according to her LinkedIn profile.
She rose rapidly in the Newark office, first leading its violent crimes unit and then its criminal division before being named Ms. Habba's first assistant in April.
Here's what we know about Ms. Grace:
Ms. Habba's No. 2
Ms. Habba appointed Ms. Grace as her No. 2 deputy soon after being named by Mr. Trump as interim U.S. attorney.
Ms. Grace's colleagues were broadly supportive of Ms. Habba's decision, according to interviews with more than a dozen current and former prosecutors and defense lawyers familiar with the office's dynamics.
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