There’s a showdown brewing between the Justice Department and federal judges over who gets to call the shots in New Jersey’s top prosecutor's office.
The Hill reported that the U.S. Department of Justice just dropped a bombshell by removing Desiree Leigh Grace, the designated successor to Alina Habba, President Trump’s choice for New Jersey’s interim U.S. Attorney, after federal judges refused to extend Habba’s temporary term and appointed Grace in her place.
Let’s rewind to March, when Alina Habba stepped into the role of interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, bringing with her a high-profile background as a counselor in the White House and a fierce legal defender of President Trump.
Her resume includes battling it out in major civil cases, from business fraud disputes to defamation lawsuits tied to E. Jean Carroll. She’s a name that commands attention, for better or worse.
During her 120-day stint, Habba didn’t shy away from making waves, overseeing arrests and charges against Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Rep. LaMonica McIver over an incident at a federal immigration facility.
While the trespassing charge against Baraka was eventually dropped, McIver is still in the ring, facing three counts of assaulting and interfering with federal officers, to which she’s pleaded not guilty. Baraka, meanwhile, has turned the tables, suing Habba for damages over his arrest.
Habba’s tenure wasn’t without scrutiny, but many on the right saw her as a breath of fresh air, pushing back against what they view as entrenched progressive agendas in urban strongholds.
Her approach, though, didn’t sit well with everyone—especially not with the federal judges who declined to extend her interim role. It’s hard not to wonder if this was less about law and more about a power play.
When Habba’s term expired, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey issued a standing order to appoint Desiree Leigh Grace, Habba’s first assistant, as the new head of the office. This move seemed to sidestep the executive branch’s influence, raising eyebrows among conservatives who value the president’s authority in such appointments. Was this a judicial overreach or a necessary check?
Enter the Justice Department, which wasn’t about to let this court decision stand without a fight. On Tuesday, top officials announced that Grace had been “removed” from her position, with a spokesperson confirming to The Hill that she is no longer a DOJ employee. The speed of this action suggests a clear message: the executive branch isn’t backing down.
Attorney General Pam Bondi didn’t mince words, stating, “Habba has done a great job.” But her praise for Habba’s efforts to make New Jersey safer was quickly overshadowed by her jab at the judiciary for refusing to extend Habba’s role. If you ask many on the right, this smells like politically motivated judges flexing muscles they shouldn’t have.
Bondi also declared, “This Department of Justice does not tolerate rogue judges.” It’s a bold stance, one that resonates with those frustrated by what they see as judicial activism undermining President Trump’s constitutional powers. The question remains: will this tough talk translate into lasting control over the appointment?
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche echoed Bondi’s sentiments on social platform X, alleging, “They forced out President Trump’s pick.”
His accusation of collusion between the court and New Jersey senators paints a picture of backroom dealings that many conservatives find all too believable. It’s a narrative that fuels distrust in institutions already on shaky ground with the right.
Blanche further insisted that the court’s “backroom vote” won’t override the president’s authority. This rhetoric taps into a core conservative belief: the executive branch, under President Trump, must have the final say in such critical appointments. Yet, uncertainty lingers over whether Grace’s removal will stick or if the court’s order can be enforced.
Indeed, it’s still unclear if Grace can be fired by anyone other than President Trump himself. This legal gray area only deepens the tension between the judiciary and the Justice Department, leaving observers on all sides wondering who will blink first. It’s a constitutional chess game, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
For now, Desiree Leigh Grace finds herself in limbo, caught between a court appointment and a swift dismissal by the Justice Department. Her removal raises questions about whether she’ll ever take the reins as New Jersey’s U.S. Attorney, or if this clash will drag on in legal battles. It’s a tough spot for someone who, until recently, was simply the first assistant waiting in the wings.
Conservatives are likely to see this as yet another example of the deep state—or at least deep-seated political bias—trying to thwart President Trump’s agenda.
While the left may argue this is about checks and balances, many on the right view it as a direct challenge to executive power, dressed up in judicial robes. The debate over who controls these appointments isn’t just academic; it’s personal for those who believe in Trump’s vision.