Alina Habba names Democrat and Republican senators ‘holding up’ U.S. Attorney vote

President Donald Trump appointee Alina Habba called out — by name — two Democrats and one Republican senator Thursday on Fox News’ “Hannity,” describing how they held up her confirmation to officially become U.S. attorney for New Jersey.

Since July, Habba has been legally fighting to officially become U.S. attorney for New Jersey, after a panel of federal judges decided to oust the Trump nominee once her 120-day appointment expired. An Obama-appointed federal judge said Thursday that Habba was “unlawfully” appointed as the acting U.S. Attorney in New Jersey. Host Sean Hannity asked Habba to respond.

“It’s been real in New Jersey. I will tell you this,” Habba said. “Number one, I was the nominee to become the US Attorney, and [Democrat New Jersey Sens.] Cory Booker and Andy Kim, who I have never to this day spoken to in my life, despite my attempts to meet them, have truly, truly done us a disservice. And frankly, same with [Republican Iowa] Senator [Chuck] Grassley.”

“By holding up a traditional blue slip, not a law, and not allowing a lot of the president’s picks to go through and be voted on by the Senate, I didn’t even get to that point. Then fast forward. It goes to the judges. Seventeen federal judges in the state of New Jersey, 15 of which are Obama- and Biden-appointed, that just like, frankly, we saw with Tish James, tried to use their seat for political motivation,” Habba added.

On July 22, a panel of federal judges decided to no longer keep Habba in as interim U.S. attorney and instead replace her with prosecutor Desiree Leigh Grace. Attorney General Pam Bondi said shortly after the decision that the Department of Justice (DOJ) “does not tolerate rogue judges” and sought to keep Habba in the position.

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Bondi then removed Grace, elevating Habba to the position of First Assistant U.S. Attorney, subsequently making her the acting U.S. Attorney. But on Thursday, Middle District of Pennsylvania Chief Judge Matthew W. Brann ruled that Habba is disqualified from prosecuting two defendants who challenged her appointment, saying she had been “unlawfully” appointed.

“I am the pick of the President. I am the pick of Pam Bondi, our Attorney General, and I will serve this country like I have for the last several years in any capacity. You might try and change my title. You might try and fight me. But just like today with New York, we will win. We always do. It just takes time,” Habba said.

“But it’s disturbing what we’re seeing. It’s not surprising, but it’s disturbing. They think they have a voice for five minutes,” Habba said. “They try and be activists, and Pam Bondi called it like it is. The Attorney General said it today. We will not fall to rogue judges. We will not fall to people trying to be political when they should just be doing their job, respecting the President.”

Habba had originally been appointed to serve as interim U.S. attorney in March by Trump, with her nomination to the position becoming permanent July 1. During Habba’s 120-day appointment, her nomination had yet to be heard or confirmed by the Senate.

In response to Thursday’s ruling, Bondi took to X to say that the DOJ “will immediately appeal.”

“@USAttyHabba is doing incredible work in New Jersey — and we will protect her position from activist judicial attacks,” Bondi wrote.

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