New Jersey's top prosecutor steps down after judicial deems ineligible her appointment.
The ex-lawyer for the former president has left her position as the US Attorney for New Jersey. This comes after a legal ruling that invalidated her right to hold the office.
Official Departure
US Attorney General, Pam Bondi, confirmed Habba's resignation on Monday. In a statement that the judicial decision made it impossible for Habba to effectively run her office.
"But do not mistake adherence to the ruling as defeat," she wrote. "This battle will now extend throughout America."
Legal Background
Her resignation comes a week after a federal appellate panel ruled that she had been acting without proper authority as the federal prosecutor. This judgment is expected to impact numerous criminal cases in New Jersey.
The court ruled that a temporary posting that did not receive the advice and consent of the Senate violated the statute on vacant positions.
Future Role and Reaction
It was also stated that she will continue working within the Department of Justice as a top consultant. She will challenge the decision of the ruling, in the hope of achieving a reversal.
On a social media platform, Bondi wrote that the court "must not override the appointment of prosecutors entrusted with executing the fundamental role of the presidency of criminal prosecution."
Performance in Office
She highlighted her tenure and noted that while she was in charge, the state capital of Newark saw a one-fifth decrease in criminal activity. She also stated that the Camden recorded its first summer in half a century with no murders.
Legal Career
The 41-year-old attorney, was initially recruited to Donald Trump's lawyers in 2021. Subsequently, she defended the former president in his hush-money trial in 2024, which resulted in his conviction on 34 counts of financial record manipulation.
Before Habba took on the federal prosecutor position, Donald Trump had revealed he was selecting her as his senior adviser during his second administration, calling the lawyer as a steadfast ally and a "tireless advocate for justice".
