Habba Steps Down As Fed Prosecutor, Becomes Bondi Adviser

Alina Habba, one of President Donald J. Trump’s most trusted legal allies, is transitioning out of her post as New Jersey’s top federal prosecutor after an appellate court ruled that Attorney General Pam Bondi lacked the authority to formally appoint her. The decision, handed down last week, prompted Bondi to reorganize leadership while the administration challenges what it views as an overreach by activist judges.

Bondi announced Monday that Habba will step into a national role as the attorney general’s senior adviser, where she will help oversee U.S. attorneys across the country. Three senior Justice Department officials will temporarily absorb additional responsibilities in the New Jersey district following Habba’s resignation, according to Fox News.

“The court’s ruling has made it untenable for [Habba] to effectively run her office, with politicized judges pausing trials designed to bring violent criminals to justice,” Bondi said, underscoring the administration’s view that the judiciary is increasingly interfering with federal law enforcement.

The Justice Department intends to “seek further review” of the appellate decision, with Bondi expressing confidence that the ruling will ultimately be reversed. Should that happen, Habba plans to return to her position as U.S. attorney for New Jersey.

Habba, long known for her vigorous representation of President Trump, was appointed earlier this year as a temporary U.S. attorney. When her interim term expired, the administration pursued several lawful but unconventional options to maintain her leadership amid Senate obstruction in the Democrat-run chamber. But a three-judge appellate panel ruled that federal vacancy statutes did not permit her reinstatement without Senate confirmation.

Despite stepping aside for now, Habba stressed that her work for the administration is far from over. In her statement announcing her new role, she vowed that her mission and energy would only broaden.

“Make no mistake, you can take the girl out of New Jersey, but you cannot take New Jersey out of the girl,” she said, emphasizing both her roots and her determination as the legal battle moves forward.

To stabilize operations in the district, DOJ leaders assigned responsibilities to Philip Lamparello, Jordan Fox, and Ari Fontecchio. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche expressed full support for the transition.

“I have full confidence in each of these exceptional attorneys and look forward to our continued collaboration as we make New Jersey and America safe again,” Blanche said.

Habba’s departure highlights a broader challenge faced by the Trump administration as it confronts entrenched Democratic resistance to its U.S. attorney appointments. In blue states, the Senate’s “blue slip” tradition effectively empowers home-state senators to block nominees—an arrangement many conservatives argue has been weaponized to undermine the President’s agenda.

Several Trump-aligned U.S. attorneys have faced similar hurdles. Courts have invalidated appointments on procedural grounds, raising the possibility that the dispute could soon reach the Supreme Court.

In a separate case, a federal judge ruled that Lindsey Halligan—formerly an insurance attorney and later a White House aide—had been unlawfully serving as the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. The Justice Department sharply criticized that ruling on Monday, describing Halligan as a “U.S. attorney” and accusing the judge of bias.

Halligan acted swiftly in her role, filing indictments against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. But those cases were dismissed after the court determined she did not have the legal authority to bring them.

The DOJ plans to appeal the decision removing Halligan, though the filing has not yet occurred.

Meanwhile, law enforcement officials recently resolved a threatening incident involving Habba. A man who attempted to “confront” her and allegedly damaged property inside her New Jersey office was arrested last month. The suspect, identified as Keith Michael Lisa, has ties to both New Jersey and New York City.

“Thanks to the great work of @FBI, @USMarshalsHQ, and @HSI_HQ the suspect wanted in the attack on @USAttyHabba’s office is now in custody. No one will get away with threatening or intimidating our great US Attorneys or the destruction of their offices,” Bondi wrote on social media.

FBI Director Kash Patel issued a similar warning: “Threats against our U.S. Attorneys aren’t just attacks on individuals, they’re attacks on the rule of law. And we will respond every time.”

As the legal wrangling continues, Habba’s shift into a senior national role ensures she remains a significant force inside the Justice Department—and a key player in advancing President Trump’s law-and-order agenda during his second term.