Trump Pulls Habba’s Nomination for New Jersey’s Top Prosecutor, Making Her Acting US Attorney

Habba previously served as Trump’s defense lawyer. She confirmed on X that she is now New Jersey’s acting U.S. attorney.

Alina Habba, with husband Gregg Reuben, is sworn in by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi as interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on March 28, 2025. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

President Donald Trump withdrew his nomination of Alina Habba to serve as New Jersey’s top federal prosecutor, a Justice Department official confirmed on Thursday.

The development comes after a federal court declined to retain Habba in the role of U.S. attorney for New Jersey and opted to install Desiree Leigh Grace.