A panel of judges in New Jersey blocked Donald Trump’s former personal attorney Alina Habba from remaining as the state’s interim U.S attorney and promoted her assistant to the role, the New York Times reports.
The judges ruled on Tuesday that Habba cannot remain as the state’s top prosecutor hours before her 120-day temporary term was set to expire.
Chief Judge for the District of New Jersey Renee Marie Bumb said in the order that first Assistant U.S. Attorney Desiree Leigh Grace, a seasoned prosecutor, has been named as Habba’s successor. Grace was chosen by Habba as her first assistant when she took over in March.
The Times noted that the judges’ decision can be undone by Trump who selected Habba for the role earlier this year even though she had no experience as a prosecutor or in criminal law.
Habba’s departure comes as New Jersey’s two Democratic senators accused her of pursuing “frivolous and politically motivated” prosecutions and “did not meet the standard” to become a U.S. attorney.
Under a longstanding Senate practice known as senatorial courtesy, a nominee’s appointment can stall out without backing from home state senators.
Shortly after Habba was appointed she brought charges against Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Rep. LaMonica McIver, both Democrats, after a scuffle outside an ICE detention facility.
She later dropped the charges against Baraka who has since filed a lawsuit against Habba, accusing her of malicious prosecution.
