Federal Judge Upholds Disqualification of Trump-Loyalist Alina Habba as Acting NJ Attorney
A panel of judges on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld the disqualification of Alina Habba, a loyalist to former President Donald Trump, from serving as acting US Attorney for the District of New Jersey. The ruling comes after Habba's appointment by Trump was deemed unlawful due to a lack of congressional approval.
Habba had taken over as acting attorney general in 2022, following her tenure as Trump's personal attorney. However, her appointment was marred by controversy when three people being prosecuted by her in New Jersey filed a lawsuit arguing that she was serving illegally and should be disqualified. A lower court judge ultimately agreed with them, ruling that Habba's appointment circumvented congressional approval.
In the latest development, the appeals court has upheld this ruling, finding that Habba's appointment violated the Federal Vacancies Reform Act. The decision marks another blow to Trump loyalists in high-profile government positions.
It appears that the Trump administration's struggles to appoint top attorneys have been a recurring theme throughout its second term. As one judge noted, "it is apparent that the current administration has been frustrated by some of the legal and political barriers to getting its appointees in place."
The case highlights concerns over the independence and impartiality of US Attorneys. In a joint statement, New Jersey Democratic Senators Andy Kim and Cory Booker criticized the Trump administration's actions on behalf of Habba, saying that US attorneys should be "installed consistent with the rule of law, not because of their political loyalty or through political maneuvering."
A panel of judges on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld the disqualification of Alina Habba, a loyalist to former President Donald Trump, from serving as acting US Attorney for the District of New Jersey. The ruling comes after Habba's appointment by Trump was deemed unlawful due to a lack of congressional approval.
Habba had taken over as acting attorney general in 2022, following her tenure as Trump's personal attorney. However, her appointment was marred by controversy when three people being prosecuted by her in New Jersey filed a lawsuit arguing that she was serving illegally and should be disqualified. A lower court judge ultimately agreed with them, ruling that Habba's appointment circumvented congressional approval.
In the latest development, the appeals court has upheld this ruling, finding that Habba's appointment violated the Federal Vacancies Reform Act. The decision marks another blow to Trump loyalists in high-profile government positions.
It appears that the Trump administration's struggles to appoint top attorneys have been a recurring theme throughout its second term. As one judge noted, "it is apparent that the current administration has been frustrated by some of the legal and political barriers to getting its appointees in place."
The case highlights concerns over the independence and impartiality of US Attorneys. In a joint statement, New Jersey Democratic Senators Andy Kim and Cory Booker criticized the Trump administration's actions on behalf of Habba, saying that US attorneys should be "installed consistent with the rule of law, not because of their political loyalty or through political maneuvering."