Alina Habba, former personal attorney to President Donald Trump, officially resigned from her position as the top federal prosecutor for New Jersey. This resignation comes after a federal appeals court ruled that her appointment was unlawful, which she deemed politically motivated.
In her statement, Habba expressed that her decision to step down was meant to protect the stability and integrity of her office, emphasizing that compliance should not be viewed as surrender. She assured her commitment to continue defending her administration's actions through an ongoing appeal.
Habba, who took on the powerful role in March, has also been a prominent legal spokesperson for Trump during his presidency. Though she leaves her prosecutorial role, she will remain with the Justice Department as a senior advisor.
The saga of her appointment faced challenges early on when both of New Jersey's Democratic senators indicated they would block her confirmation, primarily due to her limited federal court experience. Following her departure, the Biden administration filled the position with one of her subordinates, yet promptly dismissed them, attributing the turmoil to what they termed politically minded judges.
This strained period highlights ongoing tensions within the Justice Department that have ensued since Trump's presidency, as several of his appointees are being scrutinized as moves toward politicization of federal offices.
Habba’s previous term expired in July, and her extended legal battles had drawn considerable public and political attention. She remains adamant that her and others’ efforts in the Justice Department will not lead to a decrease in their influence.
