Three Key Takeaways:
- Donald Trump appointed Alina Habba, his longtime attorney, as the interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, shaking up the political scene and putting New Jersey Democrats, including Senator Cory Booker and Governor Phil Murphy, on notice.
- Habba wasted no time in addressing issues of corruption, crime, and Democrat leadership failures in New Jersey, signaling her aggressive approach to prosecuting cases and tackling what she sees as the state’s mismanagement.
- Her appointment is part of Trump’s broader strategy to place loyalists in key positions, with Habba set to use her new role to enforce law and order while challenging the Democratic status quo in New Jersey.
Donald Trump just made a move that left Washington, D.C. insiders speechless.
Senator Booker never saw this power shift coming.
And Alina Habba is about to clean house in a way that has New Jersey Democrats running scared.
Trump appoints personal attorney to powerful prosecutor position
President Donald Trump sent shockwaves through the political establishment Monday when he appointed his longtime attorney and current Presidential counselor Alina Habba to serve as the interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey.
Habba, 40, who represented Trump in several high-profile legal battles before joining his administration in January, wasted no time making her intentions crystal clear.
“President Trump has just put out a statement that he has appointed me as the interim U.S. attorney for the state of New Jersey, my home state,” Habba announced to reporters outside the White House.
What she said next sent ripples through New Jersey’s Democrat establishment.
“There is corruption, there is injustice, and there is a heavy amount of crime right in Cory Booker’s backyard and right under Governor Phil Murphy. And that will stop,” Habba declared.
Alina Habba: “President Trump has just put out a statement that he has appointed me as the interim U.S. attorney for the state of New Jersey, my home state…There is corruption, there is injustice, and there is a heavy amount of crime right in Cory Booker’s backyard.” pic.twitter.com/2HXRrycr6V
— CSPAN (@cspan) March 24, 2025
The statement puts two of New Jersey’s highest-profile Democrats directly in her crosshairs.
Habba’s appointment comes after Trump tapped current interim U.S. Attorney John Giordano to serve as ambassador to Namibia, creating the opening.
Trump announced the selection on Truth Social, praising his longtime legal ally.
“It is with great pleasure that I am announcing Alina Habba, Esq., who is currently serving as Counselor to the President, and has represented me for a long time, will be our interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, her Home State, effective immediately!” Trump wrote.
The President expressed full confidence in Habba’s ability to transform New Jersey’s justice system.
“Alina will lead with the same diligence and conviction that has defined her career, and she will fight tirelessly to secure a Legal System that is both ‘Fair and Just’ for the wonderful people of New Jersey,” he continued.
It is with great pleasure that I am announcing Alina Habba, Esq., who is currently serving as Counselor to the President, and has represented me for a long time, will be our interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, her Home State, effective immediately!
Alina will…
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) March 24, 2025
Habba has been a steadfast defender of Trump throughout his legal battles, most notably representing him in the defamation case brought by writer E. Jean Carroll.
Speaking to reporters, Habba outlined her vision for the powerful prosecutor’s office.
“I look forward to working with Attorney General Pam Bondi and with the Department of Justice and making sure that we further the President’s agenda of putting America first, cleaning up the mess, and going after the people that we should be going after, not the people that are falsely accused,” she stated.
Her appointment reflects Trump’s strategy of placing loyalists in key positions throughout the federal government.
When asked if she viewed the position as a potential stepping stone toward elected office in New Jersey, Habba instead redirected focus to what she characterized as Democrat failures.
“I think Cory Booker and Governor Murphy have failed the state of New Jersey,” Habba said bluntly.
She specifically called out deteriorating conditions in urban areas that have traditionally been Democrat strongholds.
“If you look at what happened in crime, what’s going on in Newark, what’s going on in Camden, this has been a neglected state. It is one of the most populated states for its size, and it needs to stop. We’re going to do a bang-up job. I cannot wait. It’s a great honor,” Habba promised.
The appointment positions a key Trump ally to oversee federal prosecutions in a heavily Democrat state.
As interim U.S. Attorney, Habba will wield significant power to determine which cases federal prosecutors pursue in New Jersey and which investigations receive priority.
This move represents yet another example of the Trump administration’s efforts to reshape the federal justice system in accordance with the President’s vision of law and order.
Democrats in New Jersey have remained largely silent about the appointment so far, but political analysts expect significant pushback as Habba begins implementing her agenda.
With her direct criticism of Senator Booker and Governor Murphy, Habba has made it clear she intends to be an aggressive prosecutor focused on what she perceives as failures of Democrat leadership in her home state.
