Summary
A federal judge ruled that Alina Habba has been acting without legal authority as the U.S. attorney for New Jersey since July 1. The judge stated that her actions in this capacity are not valid because she was not lawfully appointed.
Key Facts
- A federal judge said Alina Habba acted without legal authority as U.S. attorney for New Jersey since July 1.
- The judge, Matthew Brann, declared her actions in the role could be voided.
- A lawsuit questioned her legitimacy, filed by an attorney in a criminal case involving defendant Julien Giraud Jr.
- Habba was appointed by President Trump as interim U.S. attorney in late March.
- The judge ruled her authority ended on July 1, following an earlier 120-day countdown from a prior appointment.
- Brann rejected arguments that Habba was correctly appointed as first assistant U.S. attorney on July 24.
- Habba is the second U.S. attorney nominee under Trump who did not receive Senate confirmation.
- The Department of Justice did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
