Habba defiant as legal struggle over appointment escalates: 'I don’t cower to pressure'

Acting United States Attorney for the state of New Jersey Alina Habba on Thursday appeared defiant as her immediate future in the role remains in question, stating in a social media post that she will not "cower to pressure." 

New Jersey's 17 U.S. District Court judges chose to replace Habba on Tuesday with her First Assistant U.S. Attorney, Desiree Leigh Grace, but Attorney General Pam Bondi announced hours later that Grace had been removed from office. 

President Donald Trump has nominated Habba to serve in the role permanently, but she still awaits Senate confirmation, even after her 120-day interim term ended. Because her term has expired, it is unclear if she can remain in the role until confirmation.

"Donald J. Trump is the 47th President. Pam Bondi is the Attorney General," Habba said in a post on X. "I am now the Acting United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey. I don’t cower to pressure. I don’t answer to politics. This is a fight for justice. And I’m all in."

The post marks Habba's first official statement since the judges' decision and the Justice Department has retained its faith in her for the position. 

"[Habba] has brought steady leadership and sound judgment as Interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey," Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche posted to X earlier this week. "She has the full confidence of [the president] and DOJ. District judges should use their authority to keep her in place."

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.