- Attorney General Pam Bondi denounces judicial move to replace Alina Habba as U.S. Attorney.
- The District Court of New Jersey has appointed Desiree Leigh Grace under Standing Order 2025-03.
- The DOJ responded by removing the First Assistant U.S. Attorney in the district.
- The appointment follows the expiration of Habba’s 120-day interim period.
- The episode underscores ongoing power tensions between federal courts and the DOJ.
The Big Picture
The Biden-appointed judiciary in New Jersey has moved to officially replace Alina Habba as the U.S. Attorney, sparking immediate backlash from Attorney General Pam Bondi and resulting in a retaliatory shakeup by the Department of Justice. The federal court’s decision to appoint Desiree Leigh Grace has been framed by Bondi as a political maneuver undermining the executive branch’s Article II authority.
What’s New
In a post on X, Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote:
The court order—filed under Standing Order 2025-03—was signed by Chief Judge Renée Marie Bumb. It invokes Title 28, U.S. Code, Section 546(d), which allows the district court to appoint a U.S. Attorney once the 120-day term of the Attorney General’s interim appointment expires. Habba’s term, which began in March 2025, reached its expiration this week.
What They’re Saying
Supporters of Habba, including Bondi, say the judiciary’s action undermines democratic accountability and removes a U.S. Attorney with a track record of strong law enforcement. Critics argue the court followed the statutory process laid out in Title 28, and that Habba’s political alignment with Trump influenced her controversial tenure.
What’s Next
The Department of Justice has not clarified who will assume the First Assistant role following the firing. Desiree Leigh Grace’s appointment is now in effect as of July 22, 2025, with her formal duties commencing immediately under the court’s standing authority.
The Bottom Line
This rare tug-of-war between the judiciary and DOJ highlights the increasing politicization of federal legal appointments. With the 2025 election season heating up, appointments like these are likely to attract further scrutiny.
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Standing Order
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