Pam Bondi Responds To The Judges Decision On Prosecutor
In New Jersey, a conflict over the state’s top federal prosecutor has escalated into a direct confrontation between the Department of Justice, the federal judiciary, and Senate Democrats.
According to reports, U.S. District Court judges in New Jersey voted to remove Alina Habba from her position as the acting U.S. Attorney after her 120-day appointment expired. That decision came shortly after House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) publicly labeled Habba a “woefully unqualified political hack,” pressuring for her removal. Instead of extending Habba’s tenure, the judges installed Desiree Grace, a career prosecutor and the state’s second-ranking DOJ official, as her replacement.
The move triggered an immediate response from Attorney General Pam Bondi, who on Tuesday took the rare step of initiating Grace’s removal.
In a statement, Bondi condemned the court’s decision as the work of “rogue, politically minded judges” who she claims are interfering with the President’s Article II powers. “This Department of Justice does not tolerate rogue judges — especially when they threaten the President’s core Article II powers,” Bondi said.
.@USAttyHabba has been doing a great job in making NJ safe again. Nonetheless, politically minded judges refused to allow her to continue in her position, replacing Alina with the First Assistant.
Accordingly, the First Assistant United States Attorney in New Jersey has just…
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) July 22, 2025
The process for removing a U.S. Attorney typically involves presidential authority. An Office of Inspector General report outlines that the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General may request approval from the White House to seek a U.S. Attorney’s resignation, but if refused, only the President can directly dismiss them. It remains unclear whether Bondi acted independently or at the direction of President Trump.
This standoff intersects with the Senate’s blue slip tradition, which gives home-state senators the ability to block nominees.
New Jersey’s Democratic Senators, Cory Booker and Andy Kim, have refused to return a positive blue slip on Habba, effectively stalling her confirmation. While the practice is a long-standing Senate norm, it is not a legal requirement.
Theoretically, Bondi’s move may allow the administration to reappoint Habba for another 120-day term. If that happens, it could set up another clash with the judges, raising questions about the limits of judicial influence over executive appointments.