NEWARK, N.J. — Alina Habba, who has served as interim U.S. attorney for New Jersey since March, was formally nominated Tuesday by the Trump administration to hold the post for a full four-year term.
The White House submitted her nomination just as Habba approaches the 120-day limit for interim appointments, a timeframe that under federal statute requires Senate confirmation for continued service. Her status had drawn attention in recent weeks as legal interpretations suggested her temporary tenure may have already expired.
Habba, 41, previously worked as a personal attorney for President Donald Trump and played a public-facing role in several of his civil legal battles. Since taking over the federal prosecutor’s office in New Jersey, she has launched a series of controversial cases, including charging Newark Mayor Ras Baraka with trespassing—charges that were later thrown out—and filing an assault charge against Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-Newark). Her office has also publicly indicated an inquiry involving Gov. Phil Murphy and Attorney General Matt Platkin.
Democrats are up in arms because, unlike her predecessor, Habba is taking her job as a crime fighter seriously.
Her path to confirmation is expected to be difficult. U.S. Sen. Andy Kim has previously denounced her as too politically motivated for the role, and Sen. Cory Booker has expressed support for identifying a different nominee through coordination with the administration. While reports earlier this year suggested the Trump administration might pass over Habba for the permanent position, the White House ultimately moved forward with her nomination.
