Alina Habba, who has served as the interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey since March 2025, could step down next week upon the expiration of her 120-day term, if she fails to secure sufficient support from the state’s 17 federal district court judges to extend her tenure, according to sources within the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
She acknowledged her uncertain fate, but said she would want to stay on for a full term, if approved.
But the left is working overtime to block her full appointment, led by U.S. Senators Andy Kim and Cory Booker.
Habba, a New Jersey-based attorney, was appointed to the interim role following the departure of John Giordano, who was nominated as U.S. Ambassador to Namibia.
Prior to her appointment, Habba was known for her work as a private attorney and White House counselor, representing clients in high-profile civil cases. Her lack of prosecutorial experience drew scrutiny upon her selection, with some praising her loyalty and determination, while others questioned her qualifications for overseeing one of the nation’s busiest U.S. Attorney’s Offices.
During her tenure, Habba pursued several high-profile investigations, focusing on state policies and local governance, particularly issues related to immigration and public safety.
Her office initiated inquiries into New Jersey’s Democratic leadership, including Governor Phil Murphy and Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, and brought charges against Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Representative LaMonica McIver related to an incident at an immigration detention facility.
The charges against Baraka were later dropped, prompting a federal magistrate judge to issue a rare admonition, criticizing the case as a “worrisome misstep.”
These actions fueled debate, with supporters commending her proactive stance and critics arguing that her initiatives appeared politically driven, raising concerns about the impartiality of the office.
Habba’s possible departure stems from forces preventing her to gain the necessary votes from New Jersey’s federal district court judges to continue beyond the statutory 120-day limit for interim U.S. Attorney appointments.
Federal law allows judges to appoint a U.S. Attorney if the interim term expires without a Senate-confirmed replacement, but Habba did not secure enough support to remain in the role.
This lack of judicial backing, combined with opposition from New Jersey’s Democratic Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim, who criticized her as unqualified and overly partisan, effectively ended her tenure.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, which operates in Newark, Camden, and Trenton, oversees a wide range of federal cases, including those involving organized crime, public corruption, and national security.