Alina Habba steps down

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By Sara Merken

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REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

Alina Habba, a former lawyer to President Trump whom he later installed as the top federal prosecutor in New Jersey, said that she was stepping down from the role after a federal appeals court found her appointment was unlawful and disqualified her from supervising cases.

Habba said in a statement posted to X that her resignation as acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey was "to protect the stability and the integrity of the office," which faced months of uncertainty as legal challenges to her appointment played out. "But do not mistake compliance for surrender," Habba said in the post.

Habba said she would take on a new role as senior adviser to Attorney General Pam Bondi, focusing on U.S. Attorneys around the country. The DOJ named three lawyers to take over leadership of the office in New Jersey.

A three-judge panel of the Philadelphia-based 3rd Circuit ruled last week that the Trump administration violated a federal appointments law in naming Habba acting U.S. attorney after judges on New Jersey's federal district court declined to extend her appointment. Read more.

REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein

This morning's Daily Docket previewed arguments at the U.S. Supreme Court over whether President Trump can fire FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter before her term expires, despite statutory protections. My colleagues John Kruzel and Andrew Chung have an update from the court.

Conservative justices signaled they will uphold the legality of the firing and give a historic boost to presidential power while also imperiling a 90-year-old legal precedent. Read more about the arguments.

A little reminder: If you're enjoying the stories featured in this newsletter, don't forget that a Reuters subscription gives you unlimited access to all stories and fewer ads. Plus, no surprise price increases and you can cancel anytime. Sign up here.

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sara.merken@thomsonreuters.com

@saramerken

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