What started as a routine transition of power has turned into a full-blown political clash between Trump’s inner circle and the federal judiciary.
At the center of it all? Alina Habba—once Donald Trump’s personal attorney and more recently the acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey.
Her sudden removal from the post this week has sparked fury within MAGA circles, with Trump’s allies accusing a group of “rogue judges” of engineering a political takedown.
Alina Habba Replaced Without Senate Confirmation
Habba’s 120-day temporary appointment came to an end after the Senate failed to confirm her position.
Rather than extend her stay or wait for Congress to act, a panel of mostly Democrat-appointed judges made a bold move—they appointed her deputy, Desiree Leigh Grace, as the new district head.
The reaction from Trump-world was immediate and fiery.
Within hours, Grace was fired by the Department of Justice, igniting a dramatic face-off between the federal bench and Trump’s executive team.
Trump Allies Cry Foul Over Judicial Move
Attorney General Pam Bondi, a longtime Trump loyalist, didn’t mince words when responding to the judge’s decision.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Bondi accused the judiciary of crossing constitutional boundaries.
“This Department of Justice does not tolerate rogue judges—especially when they threaten the President’s core Article II powers,” she wrote, signaling the start of a legal and political showdown to reinstall Habba.
Habba’s Meteoric Rise—and Sudden Fall
Not long ago, Habba was celebrated by Trump and his supporters.
In March, she took the oath of office right in the Oval Office, handpicked by the former president.
She quickly made waves by targeting high-profile Democrats like Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and U.S. Representative LaMonica McIver.
She also butted heads with the New Jersey State Police over sanctuary city laws, drawing cheers from conservatives and heavy criticism from the left, who accused her of playing political games under the guise of justice.
The Legal Loophole That Sparked the Drama
Under federal law, if the Senate doesn’t act within 120 days to confirm a temporary U.S. attorney, the judges of that district are allowed to step in and appoint someone themselves.
That’s exactly what they did—and the White House was far from happy about it.
Many see the judges’ decision to elevate Grace as a calculated snub to Trump’s administration, especially given that most of them were appointed by Democrats.
Trump’s Camp Stands Firm Behind Habba
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche echoed the outrage from Trump supporters, posting a fiery message online declaring, “Alina is President Trump’s choice to lead. No partisan bench can override that.”
Meanwhile, insiders say Habba wasn’t entirely surprised.
In fact, just days before the switch, she reportedly called an emotional staff meeting where she thanked her team and said she was still hopeful the Senate might come through.
Senate Pushback Led by New Jersey Democrats
Habba’s formal nomination, submitted on July 1, stalled quickly.
Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim—both New Jersey Democrats—made it clear they had serious reservations.
Their criticisms? Habba’s lack of prosecutorial experience and her close political ties to Trump.
Although Trump has pushed for the Senate to remain in session through August to speed up his appointments, Habba’s chances for confirmation remain up in the air.
DOJ Fires Grace Amid Ongoing Tug-of-War
Adding more fuel to the fire, the Justice Department stepped in and fired Grace shortly after she was appointed by the judges.
That move has left the New Jersey prosecutor’s seat in limbo, with no clear leadership and mounting pressure from both sides.
Trump’s Allies Promise a Counterattack
With Habba’s confirmation still pending and no permanent replacement in place, Trump’s supporters are vowing to fight back hard.
Sources close to the former president say they’re exploring every legal and political avenue to reinstate her.
“She would never back down from the job Trump chose for her,” one source said, reinforcing that Habba remains a key player in Trump’s inner circle despite the setback.
All Eyes on the Senate as the Battle Continues
Now the question is: what happens next? The Senate holds the cards when it comes to confirming Habba—but with strong opposition from within New Jersey’s own delegation, the outcome is far from certain.
For now, the fight over who controls the federal prosecutor’s office in New Jersey has become yet another battleground in the larger political war playing out across the country.