President Trump made headlines on Monday by announcing the appointment of Alina Habba, a former personal lawyer and spokeswoman, as New Jersey’s interim U.S. attorney. This decision continues a trend of Trump placing his former legal representatives in significant law enforcement roles. Habba has a history of defending the former president in civil trials, notably those initiated by New York Attorney General Letitia James and writer E. Jean Carroll. These trials resulted in substantial financial penalties for Trump, who has since appealed the rulings.
Alina Habba previously served as Trump's personal attorney and later as his spokeswoman during the 2024 campaign. Her appointment marks a pivotal moment, as she becomes the first among Trump's former legal team to be named an interim U.S. attorney. This move underscores Trump’s continued influence over the Justice Department as he embarks on his second term.
In her statement regarding the new role, Habba expressed her gratitude, stating, “I am honored to serve my home state of New Jersey as interim U.S. attorney and I am grateful to President Trump for entrusting me with this tremendous responsibility. Just like I did during my time as President Trump’s personal attorney, I will continue to fight for truth and justice.”
Despite her lack of prosecutorial experience, Habba will be responsible for managing approximately 150 federal prosecutors in New Jersey. Traditionally, the position of U.S. attorney has served as a stepping stone for many prominent conservatives, including Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.
It remains uncertain whether Trump intends to appoint Habba permanently, as he has done with other interim prosecutors. During her press appearance outside the White House on Monday, Habba refrained from addressing the duration of her interim appointment and did not clarify her intentions regarding a permanent position.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, the implications of Habba's appointment may have lasting effects on both the New Jersey legal system and Trump's influence over federal law enforcement.
For further updates on this developing story, stay tuned to our news coverage.
