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Tag: Alina Habba
December 1, 2025
Lawfare

Appeals Court Upholds Alina Habba’s Removal as U.S. Attorney for New Jersey.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A federal appeals court upheld a decision barring Alina Habba from serving as New Jersey’s top federal prosecutor.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Alina Habba, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Third Circuit Court of Appeals judges, and New Jersey district judges.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Monday, December 1, at the Third Circuit Court of Appeals in New Jersey.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The delegation of all the powers of a U.S. Attorney to Habba was expressly prohibited.” – Third Circuit Court ruling.

🎯IMPACT: The ruling reinforces the Federal Vacancies Reform Act and limits the Attorney General’s ability to bypass it.

IN FULL

Acting United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey Alina Habba has been disqualified from continuing in the position after a federal appeals court upheld a lower court decision on Monday. A three-judge panel for the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, comprised of two Bush appointees and one Biden appointee, agreed with the plaintiffs and with New Jersey’s federal district court that Attorney General Pam Bondi had unlawfully attempted to circumvent the Federal Vacancies Reform Act when she extended Habba’s appointment as a U.S. Attorney.

The plaintiffs argued that Bondi‘s appointment of Habba as Acting U.S. Attorney, after her term as interim U.S. Attorney ended, violated their “constitutional right to be prosecuted only by a duly authorized United States Attorney” and that “the illegitimacy of Ms. Habba’s appointment undermines… fundamental due process rights.”

Habba, who had been named by President Donald J. Trump as the interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey in March, was briefly forced out of the role in late July after federal district court judges in the state voted not to extend her term. At the time, then-First Assistant U.S. Attorney Desiree Grace took over as New Jersey’s top federal prosecutor.

Subsequently, Attorney General Bondi fired Grace just two days later and named Habba as her replacement as Acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey. This move, according to the appeals court panel, violated procedures set out in the Federal Vacancies Reform Act, with the judges writing that “only the first assistant in place at the time the vacancy arises automatically assumes the functions and duties of the office.” The judges agreed with the lower court’s findings that federal law barred Bondi’s “delegation of all the powers of a U.S. Attorney to Habba.”

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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November 13, 2025
News

DOJ Hunts for Suspect in Attack on U.S. Attorney’s Office.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: An individual attempted to confront U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, destroyed property in her office, and fled the scene.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. Attorney Alina Habba and Attorney General Pam Bondi.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The incident occurred Wednesday night at Alina Habba’s office.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Thankfully, Alina is ok.” – Pam Bondi

🎯IMPACT: The incident highlights security concerns for high-ranking officials.

IN FULL

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Thursday that an individual attempted to confront U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, destroyed property in her office, and then fled the scene.

“Last night, an individual attempted to confront one of our U.S. Attorneys—my dear friend [U.S. Attorney Alina Habba]—destroyed property in her office, and then fled the scene,” Bondi stated, noting: “Thankfully, Alina is ok.”

“Any violence or threats of violence against any federal officer will not be tolerated. Period. This is unfortunately becoming a trend as radicals continue to attack law enforcement agents around the country,” the Attorney General continued, adding: “We will find this person, and the individual will be brought to justice. Our federal prosecutors, agents, and law-enforcement partners put their lives on the line every day to protect the American people, and this Department will use every legal tool available to ensure their safety and hold violent offenders fully accountable.”

The incident is still under investigation, and further updates are expected as details emerge.

This is a developing story. 

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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September 3, 2025
Immigration
Politics

These House Republicans Blocked Censure of Anti-ICE Dem Rep McIver.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: An effort to censure Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) was blocked after some Republicans joined Democrats to vote against it.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ), Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA), and several other Republicans and Democrats in the House.

📍WHEN & WHERE: September 3, 2025, in the U.S. House of Representatives.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I’m going to have some conversations with my colleagues, with Ms. McIver in particular, and some of our leadership.” – Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-NY)

🎯IMPACT: The censure resolution against McIver was tabled, creating uncertainty as to whether a similar measure against Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL) will proceed.

IN FULL

A censure resolution aimed at Representative LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) was thwarted in the House after a coalition of Democrats and Republicans-in-name-only (RINOs) voted against it. The resolution, initiated by Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA), sought to reprimand McIver for her involvement in the alleged assault of federal law enforcement officers outside an immigration detention center in May.

Five Republicans, including Reps. Don Bacon (R-NE) and Mike Flood (R-NE) joined Democrats in voting to table the measure.  =Reps. Dave Joyce (R-OH), Mike Turner (R-OH), and David Valadao (R-CA) also voted for the table motion. Two other Republicans, Reps. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) and Nathaniel Moran (R-TX) opted to vote present. Rep. Turner claimed after the roll call that he inadvertently voted to kill the censure measure, though his vote would not have changed the final outcome.

The incident in question occurred during an oversight visit to a Newark, New Jersey, facility, where McIver and other Democratic officials were present and ended up physically interfering with law enforcement. Federal agents arrested the city’s mayor, Ras Baraka, and charges against McIver were eventually brought by acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, accusing the Congresswoman of assaulting federal agents.

McIver has denied all allegations, with her legal team asserting that federal agents’ actions led to an “unnecessary, reckless, and disproportionate escalation” at the scene.

The failed censure of McIver has prompted Democrats to consider withdrawing a similar resolution brought against Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL) in retaliation, as they weigh their next steps. Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-NY), who is the sponsor of the censure measure against Mills, said after the McIver vote: “I’m going to have some conversations with my colleagues, with Ms. McIver in particular, and some of our leadership, and we’ll make that determination.”

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July 22, 2025
Lawfare
Politics

Obama and Biden Judges Push Alina Habba Out of US Attorney Role.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba was replaced after New Jersey federal district court judges, predominantly appointed by former presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, voted against extending her term.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Alina Habba, Desiree Grace, President Donald J. Trump, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka (D), and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Decision announced Tuesday, July 22, in the Federal District of New Jersey.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Their rush reveals what this was always about: a left-wing agenda, not the rule of law.” – Todd Blanche

🎯IMPACT: Desiree Grace will temporarily assume the role; Habba could still resume the role should she be confirmed by the U.S. Senate to a full term.

IN FULL

Interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba‘s position in the District of New Jersey came to an abrupt end—for now—after federal district court judges, predominantly appointed by former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, voted not to extend her term. The judges voted behind closed doors on Monday to replace her with First Assistant U.S. Attorney Desiree Grace. Grace will temporarily take over the role effective immediately, according to a court order made public on Tuesday, July 22.

Habba, known for her previous role as President Donald J. Trump’s personal attorney and legal spokeswoman, has aggressively pursued legal action against a group of New Jersey Democratic Party lawmakers who are accused of physically assaulting federal immigration officials earlier this year. In May, she ordered the arrest of Newark’s Democratic mayor, Ras Baraka, for allegedly trespassing in an immigration detention facility. The charges were later dropped, and a judge criticized her actions as an attempt to “satisfy public clamor.” Baraka has since filed a defamation lawsuit against Habba.

Additionally, in June, Congresswoman LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) pleaded not guilty to charges brought by Habba alleging McIver forcibly impeded federal officers during the attempted arrest of Baraka. The charges include allegations that McIver physically obstructed officers, using her arms to block and strike them.

President Trump recently nominated Habba for a full four-year term, emphasizing her commitment to cracking down on street crime. She has also received endorsements from law enforcement groups. However, Democrats in the U.S. Senate say they will uniformly oppose the nomination, citing a lack of prosecutorial experience and accusing her of politicizing the role.

Habba’s path to Senate confirmation currently appears blocked as New Jersey’s Democratic senators, Cory Booker and Andy Kim, submitted blue slips opposing her nomination. However, the blue slip process is merely a courtesy extended to a nominee’s home-state senators by the relevant committee chairman and can be ignored.

Deputy U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche defended Habba on Tuesday, accusing the federal judges of pursuing a partisan agenda. “The district court judges in NJ are trying to force out [Habba] before her term expires at 11:59 PM Friday. Their rush reveals what this was always about: a left-wing agenda, not the rule of law,” Blanche stated on X (formerly Twitter). He added: “When judges act like activists, they undermine confidence in our justice system. Alina is President Trump’s choice to lead—and no partisan bench can override that.”

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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July 21, 2025
Jack Montgomery
News

Jeffries Lobbies Judges to Push Out U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, Gets Hit With Ethics Complaint.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. District Court judges in New Jersey will decide whether to reappoint Alina Habba as U.S. Attorney on Monday. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) has been lobbying them to push her out—resulting in an ethics complaint.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Alina Habba, President Donald J. Trump, Hakeem Jeffries, Mike Davis and the Article III Project, and New Jersey’s 17 U.S. District Court judges.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The decision is set for Monday in New Jersey, as Habba’s 120-day interim term ends Tuesday.

💬KEY QUOTE: “House Democrat Leader Hakeem Jeffries called on the 17 New Jersey U.S. district judges (15 of whom are Democrat-appointed by Presidents Obama and Biden) to effectively fire the New Jersey U.S. attorney tomorrow [Monday]… The reason? Because she brought an indictment against a Democrat House Member—who allegedly attacked federal officers. This is clear corruption by House Democrat Leader Hakeem Jeffries.” – Article III Project ethics complaint.

🎯IMPACT: The judges’ decision could lead to a new U.S. attorney or leave the position unfilled, with potential implications for federal prosecutions in New Jersey.

IN FULL

On Monday, U.S. District Court judges in New Jersey will determine whether to confirm Alina Habba as the state’s U.S. Attorney, choose another candidate, or leave the position unfilled. Habba, appointed on an interim basis in late March, is approaching the end of her 120-day term.

President Donald J. Trump nominated Habba for the role on July 1, but the Senate Judiciary Committee has yet to conduct its standard vetting process. This delay stems from opposition by New Jersey’s two Democrat senators, Cory Booker and Andy Kim, who have not supported her nomination, resulting in the decision being thrown to the Garden State’s federal judges.

Notably, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) is publicly lobbying the mostly Democrat-appointed jurists to push out Habba, citing her prosecution of Democrat Congresswoman LaMonica McIver (D-NJ)—currently facing charges for physically accosting federal officers involved in deportations. Consequently, Mike Davis and the Article III Project have filed a House ethics complaint against Jeffries for “abuse of his official position by improperly inserting himself into a criminal proceeding pending in federal court.”

“House Democrat Leader Hakeem Jeffries called on the 17 New Jersey U.S. district judges (15 of whom are Democrat-appointed by Presidents Obama and Biden) to effectively fire the New Jersey U.S. attorney tomorrow [Monday]… The reason? Because she brought an indictment against a Democrat House Member—who allegedly attacked federal officers. This is clear corruption by House Democrat Leader Hakeem Jeffries,” the complaint reads.

New Jersey’s judges might consider First Assistant U.S. Attorney Desiree Grace or former U.S. District Court Judge Noel Lawrence Hillman, both registered Republicans, as alternatives to Habba, or leave the U.S. Attorney position vacant.

The latter scenario echoes a recent situation in the Northern District of New York, where a judicial panel declined to reappoint John Sarcone III as U.S. Attorney after his 120-day interim term. “Because there’s no U.S. Attorney in place, I became ‘Acting’ U.S. Attorney for an indefinite term,” Sarcone said of his current status.

Image by Paul Morigi.

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July 1, 2025
Politics

This Trump Ally Was Just Tapped as U.S. Attorney for New Jersey.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump has nominated Alina Habba to serve a full four-year term as the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald Trump, Alina Habba, and the Senate.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Nomination announced Tuesday, July 1; Habba has been serving as Interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey since March.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Alina will lead with the same diligence and conviction that has defined her career, and she will fight tirelessly to secure a Legal System that is both ‘Fair and Just’ for the wonderful people of New Jersey.” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: The nomination now heads to the Senate for consideration, as Habba continues to serve in her interim role.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump has nominated Alina Habba to serve a full four-year term as U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, the White House announced on Tuesday. Habba is one of over two dozen nominations sent to the Senate for their consideration.

In March, Trump appointed Habba as the Interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, after the then-interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, John Giordani, was nominated to serve as the U.S  Ambassador to Namibia.

“It is with great pleasure that I am announcing Alina Habba, Esq., who is currently serving as Counselor to the President, and has represented me for a long time, will be our interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, her Home State, effective immediately,” Trump wrote at the time. “Alina will lead with the same diligence and conviction that has defined her career, and she will fight tirelessly to secure a Legal System that is both ‘Fair and Just’ for the wonderful people of New Jersey.”

During her time in the interim role, Habba oversaw charges brought against Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ), who was indicted on federal charges of forcibly impeding and interfering with federal officers outside the Delaney Hall Federal Immigration Facility in Newark, New Jersey, on May 9.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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June 25, 2025
Crime
Immigration
Politics

Dem Congresswoman to Plead Not Guilty to Assaulting ICE Personnel.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Congresswoman LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) is facing charges for impeding Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents during an altercation at an immigration facility in May.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Rep. LaMonica McIver, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, and federal agents.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The incident occurred on May 9 at the Delaney Hall immigration facility in New Jersey. McIver is expected to plead “not guilty” to charges in court on Wednesday, June 25, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The facts of this case will prove I was simply doing my job and will expose these proceedings for what they are: a brazen attempt at political intimidation.” – Rep. LaMonica McIver.

🎯IMPACT: McIver faces up to 17 years in prison if convicted on all charges.

IN FULL

Representative LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) is set to appear in court to face charges stemming from a May 9 incident at the Delaney Hall immigration facility. McIver is accused of forcibly impeding federal officers during the attempted arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. The charges include allegations that McIver physically obstructed officers, using her arms to block and strike them.

According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), Baraka had entered a secured area of the facility and refused to leave when asked by federal agents. As officers attempted to arrest him, McIver allegedly intervened, using physical force against the agents. Each of the first two counts against McIver carries a maximum sentence of eight years, while a third count carries up to one year.

Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, who has previously represented President Donald J. Trump, is overseeing the prosecution. Habba stated that McIver “assaulted, impeded, and interfered with law enforcement.” In response, McIver has denied the charges, asserting that the case is a politically motivated attempt to intimidate her.

“The facts of this case will prove I was simply doing my job and will expose these proceedings for what they are: a brazen attempt at political intimidation,” McIver said in a statement. She added, “This indictment is no more justified than the original charge and is an effort by Trump’s administration to dodge accountability for the chaos ICE caused and scare me out of doing the work I was elected to do.”

Meanwhile, the Campaign for Accountability, a liberal watchdog group, has filed an ethics complaint against Habba, accusing her of targeting McIver and Baraka for their involvement in the protest and oversight visit. The group alleges the charges are politically motivated. Baraka, who was arrested during the incident, had a trespassing charge against him dismissed.

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June 11, 2025
Crime
Immigration

Democrat Congresswoman Indicted for Assaulting ICE Officers.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: A federal grand jury indicted Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) on three federal charges for allegedly interfering with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

👥 Who’s Involved: Rep. LaMonica McIver, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka (D), ICE agents, Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez Jr. (D-NJ).

📍 Where & When: The incident took place at the Delaney Hall detention center in Newark, New Jersey, on May 9, 2025. McIver was indicted on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “While people are free to express their views for or against particular policies, they must not do so in a manner that endangers law enforcement and the communities those officers serve,” said U.S. Attorney Alina Habba.

⚠️ Impact: McIver faces up to 17 years in federal prison if convicted.

IN FULL:

A federal grand jury has returned a three-count indictment against Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) for allegedly obstructing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers during an incident at a detention center in Newark, New Jersey, last month.

The indictment, issued Tuesday in Newark, accuses McIver of forcibly interfering with ICE agents on May 9 as they attempted to arrest an illegal immigrant outside Delaney Hall detention center. The charges include allegations that McIver physically shoved and resisted federal officers and impeded their efforts.

The incident occurred during what was described as a congressional oversight visit by McIver, alongside fellow Democrat New Jersey Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman and Robert Menendez Jr. Their visit coincided with a demonstration by open-borders activists outside the facility. According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), the situation escalated when Newark Mayor Ras Baraka (D) entered a restricted area of the detention center without authorization.

The DOJ states Baraka was warned multiple times to leave the secured area, but refused. When officers attempted to arrest him, McIver and others reportedly intervened, surrounding the mayor and physically preventing officers from applying handcuffs. The indictment further alleges McIver struck and restrained federal officers during their second attempt to arrest Baraka after he was escorted outside.

“As I have stated in the past, it is my Constitutional obligation as the Chief Federal Law Enforcement Officer for New Jersey to ensure that our federal partners are protected when executing their duties,” U.S. Attorney Alina Habba said. She added, “While people are free to express their views for or against particular policies, they must not do so in a manner that endangers law enforcement and the communities those officers serve.”

If convicted on all charges, McIver could face up to 17 years in federal prison.

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e jean carroll rape sexy
March 5, 2024
Breaking

Trump Wants Fresh E. Jean Carroll Trial.

The legal team representing former U.S. President Donald Trump has filed a motion for a new trial as part of the ongoing battle in a defamation case involving writer E. Jean Carroll. They also requested the judge presiding over the case to annul the court-imposed $83 million judgment.

Attorneys Alina Habba and John Sauer stated in their case, “…a district court may grant a motion for a new trial if the verdict is against the weight of the evidence.”

The Trump legal team further contested the size of the award, which they say is highly excessive. Habba mentioned that the jury’s compensatory and punitive awards were disproportionate. She argued these awards were driven more by sympathy than by concrete evidence and, hence, should be annulled.

The legal counsel for Carroll, Roberta Kaplan, chose not to comment.

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The legal team representing former U.S. President Donald Trump has filed a motion for a new trial as part of the ongoing battle in a defamation case involving writer E. Jean Carroll. They also requested the judge presiding over the case to annul the court-imposed $83 million judgment. show more
February 21, 2024
Jack Montgomery
Corruption
Politics

Letitia James Threatens to Seize Trump Tower.

Democrat New York Attorney General Letitia James has said she will ask Judge Arthur Engoron, who has donated thousands of dollars to the Democratic Party, to seize Donald Trump’s assets if he does not pay a $355 million fine.

“If he does not have funds to pay off the judgment, then we will seek judgment enforcement mechanisms in court, and we will ask the judge to seize his assets,” James told ABC.

Judge Engoron’s law clerk and “co-judge,” Allison Greenfield, attended Democrat events endorsing AG James and Joe Biden, and his wife published vulgar social media posts attacking Trump and his lawyer, Alina Habba, during the New York trial.

ABC posited to James that Trump’s alleged fraud had “no victim, no one got harmed, the banks got paid back, so no harm no foul.”

James had no substantive answer to this, simply stating that “financial frauds are not victimless crimes” — despite the judgment against the former president being civil, not criminal.

Trump insists there was no fraud, that he undervalued rather than overvalued his assets when applying for bank loans, and that Engoron accepted questionable valuations of his assets.

There has been heavy criticism of an $18 million valuation of his Mar-a-Lago estate — which sold for the equivalent of $70 million in 1981 — in particular.

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Democrat New York Attorney General Letitia James has said she will ask Judge Arthur Engoron, who has donated thousands of dollars to the Democratic Party, to seize Donald Trump's assets if he does not pay a $355 million fine. show more