Trump’s Trio of NJ Successors to Habba Ruled Illegally Appointed

A US judge ruled Monday that the Trump administration illegally appointed a trio of lawyers to succeed Alina Habba after her resignation as the top federal prosecutor in New Jersey.

US District Judge Matthew Brann issued a stinging repudiation of Attorney General Pam Bondi’s decision on Dec. 8 to delegate the duties of running the US Attorney’s Office to three lawyers. Brann said the novel arrangement violated the Federal Vacancies Reform Act, the appointments clause of the US Constitution, and the law governing the duties of the job.