New Jersey's top prosecutor resigns after appeals court rules against her.
The former personal attorney for Donald Trump has left her position as the US Attorney for New Jersey. This follows a court battle that questioned her right to serve.
Official Departure
The head of the Justice Department, Pam Bondi, confirmed the prosecutor's departure on the start of the week. Bondi stated that the judicial decision made it unworkable for Habba to lead the department effectively.
"But do not mistake following the order as giving up," she wrote. "My fight will now reach across the nation."
Court Ruling
Her resignation was triggered by a judicial panel determined that she had been serving in violation of the law as the top prosecutor. This judgment is expected to impact scores of criminal cases in New Jersey.
The appellate judges said that a temporary posting that bypassed Senate approval ran afoul of the Federal Vacancies Reform Act.
Next Steps and Responses
Bondi said that the former prosecutor will continue working within the Department of Justice as a top consultant. Habba plans to seek further review of the disqualification, with hopes of a reversal.
Writing online, the Attorney General wrote that judges "cannot be permitted to second-guess the President's choice of attorneys responsible for executing the fundamental role of the presidency of criminal prosecution."
Record and Legacy
Bondi commended her tenure and said that while she was in charge, the Newark saw a significant drop in criminal activity. Additionally that the southern city of Camden recorded its initial homicide-free summer since 1974 with no murders.
Legal Career
The 41-year-old attorney, first joined the former president's legal defense in 2021. She went on to defended the former president in his hush-money trial in New York last year, leading to his conviction on multiple felony counts of financial record manipulation.
Prior to Habba took on the top New Jersey post, Donald Trump had announced he was naming her as his senior adviser during his second administration, describing the lawyer as "unwavering in her loyalty" and a "tireless advocate for justice".
