Attorney General Pam Bondi dismissed a federal prosecutor on Tuesday. This prosecutor had been selected by New Jersey's federal judges to succeed Alina Habba, who was serving as the state's interim U.S. attorney. Habba is known to be closely associated with former President Donald Trump.
Bondi stated that Habba, who previously served as Trump's personal lawyer, had been "doing a great job" in her role. She attributed the judges' decision to remove Habba to political motivations. The judges had declined to extend Habba's interim appointment, which was set to expire after 120 days.
Desiree Leigh Grace was named U.S. attorney for New Jersey by an order signed by the chief judge for the District of New Jersey. However, Bondi announced that Grace had been removed from the position. Bondi further stated that the Department of Justice would not tolerate what she termed "rogue judges."
According to a source, the Justice Department fired Grace. The plan is to reinstate Habba in some capacity, similar to a previous situation in the Northern District of New York, although the specific method is still being determined.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche claimed that Habba's term was not expiring until Friday and that the attempt to replace her was driven by a "left-wing agenda."
New Jersey Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim criticized the Justice Department's actions, accusing them of undermining judicial decisions and disregarding the rule of law. They stated that the firing of a career public servant was an attempt to intimidate those who disagree with them and undermine judicial independence. They emphasized that the people of New Jersey deserve a U.S. Attorney who will uphold the law without political bias.
Habba's tenure was marked by media appearances and scrutiny, including her decision to charge Rep. LaMonica McIver, D-N.J. Trump has nominated Habba for the permanent position, but the nomination has not yet progressed in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
6 Comments
Karamba
Finally! Someone is standing up to the 'woke' judges and fighting back against the left's agenda.
Matzomaster
The Justice Department is behaving like a banana republic with these dismissals and reappointments.
Bella Ciao
This is blatant political interference in the justice system! Undermining judicial decisions is a dangerous game.
Comandante
How can we trust the rule of law when political loyalties trump actual legal expertise?
ZmeeLove
The more the left cries the more right becomes our nation. The right is always right.
Muchacho
The judges were clearly playing politics. Bondi's right to push back.