Top DOJ official pushes to keep interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba in place as deadline approaches

Source: CBS News

Updated on: July 21, 2025 / 11:56 AM EDT


When Alina Habba was installed by President Trump as acting U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey on March 24, a 120-day stopwatch was immediately triggered. That's how long an interim U.S. attorney can serve without Senate confirmation, unless the state's district court judges vote in a rare meeting to extend that deadline, which expires Tuesday.

Habba has not received Senate confirmation and faces an uphill battle in a state represented by two Democratic senators adamantly opposed to her holding the office. That leaves it up to the state's judges, who have a decision to make Monday about Habba.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche urged the judges to allow her to remain in the job in a pair of social media posts on Sunday evening and Monday morning. Habba "has brought steady leadership and sound judgment as interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey," wrote Blanche. "She has the full confidence of [the president] and DOJ. District judges should use their authority to keep her in place."

Habba did not immediately reply to questions from CBS News. She was nominated by Mr. Trump on July 1 for a full term as U.S. attorney.

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/justice-department-official-support-alina-habba-new-jersey-acting-us-attorney/