U.S. District Judge Matthew Brann concluded that Alina Habba was not statutorily eligible to serve as the United States Attorney and has therefore unlawfully held the role since July 24, 2025. Brann placed his order on hold while an appeal proceeds. The ruling arose from a filing by two New Jersey defendants in a federal drug-trafficking case whose attorney argued Habba lacked authority to prosecute after her 120-day interim term expired in July. The case connects to broader personnel actions in New Jersey's federal prosecutor offices and prompted related DOJ coverage and reporting.
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. -- A judge ruled Thursday that President Donald Trump's former lawyer, Alina Habba, has been unlawfully serving as the top federal prosecutor in New Jersey. "I conclude that she is not statutorily eligible to perform the functions and duties of the office of the United States Attorney and has therefore unlawfully held the role since July 24, 2025," U.S. District Judge Matthew Brann wrote. FILE - Alina Habba, President Trump's pick to be the interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, arrives to speak with reporters outside the White House, March 26, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File) Brann said he's putting his order on hold pending an appeal.
RELATED| DOJ fires US attorney for New Jersey after state picks her over former Trump lawyer Alina Habba Brann's decision comes in response to a filing on behalf of two New Jersey defendants who faced a trial on federal drug-trafficking charges. Their attorney sought to block the charges against his clients, arguing that Habba didn't have the authority to prosecute the case after her 120-day term as interim U.S. attorney expired in July.
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