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President Donald Trump has named his personal attorney-turned-White House counselor, Alina Habba, as the interim U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey. The controversial appointment places one of Trump’s most vocal legal allies in a powerful federal prosecutorial role.
“Alina will lead with the same diligence and conviction that has defined her career, and she will fight tirelessly to secure a legal system that is both ‘Fair and Just’ for the wonderful people of New Jersey,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Standing outside the White House after the announcement, Habba expressed enthusiasm about her new role.
“As you know, I’ve stood by President Trump, his family, the [Trump] organization, and many other clients in this state where I was born and raised,” she said. “But there is corruption, there is injustice, and there is a heavy amount of crime right in [Senator] Cory Booker’s backyard and right under Governor [Phil] Murphy, and that will stop.”
While she declined to name specific targets for prosecution, Habba criticized Democratic leaders in the state. “Cory Booker and Governor Murphy have failed the state of New Jersey,” she said. “If you look at what’s happening with crime in Newark and Camden, this has been a neglected state.”
A Controversial Appointment
Habba’s selection as interim U.S. attorney has raised eyebrows, given her close ties to Trump and lack of prosecutorial experience. Unlike past U.S. attorneys, who typically come from backgrounds in law enforcement or federal prosecution, Habba’s legal career has largely centered on civil and commercial litigation.
She first gained prominence in Trump’s orbit after representing him in a $100 million lawsuit against The New York Times and his estranged niece, Mary Trump—a case that was ultimately dismissed. She also defended Trump against sexual assault allegations from former Apprentice contestant Summer Zervos and led a lawsuit accusing Hillary Clinton and others of conspiring to damage Trump’s reputation, which was thrown out with the judge ordering Trump and Habba to pay nearly $1 million in sanctions.
Despite her mixed legal record, Habba remained one of Trump’s most loyal defenders. She frequently appeared on conservative media defending the former president, calling him “the most ethical American I know” following his indictment over classified documents.
Habba’s appointment as U.S. attorney follows her recent promotion to White House counselor in December, a role in which Trump praised her as a “tireless advocate for justice.”
What’s Next for Habba?
Habba did not address why she was appointed on an interim basis rather than permanently, nor did she confirm whether she has political ambitions in New Jersey. However, she made it clear that she intends to use her new role to advance Trump’s agenda.
“I look forward to working with [Attorney General] Pam Bondi, with the Department of Justice, and making sure that we further the president’s agenda of putting America first, cleaning up messes, and going after the people that we should be going after—not the people who are falsely accused,” Habba said. “That will stop in the great state of New Jersey, starting now.”
Trump also announced that current interim U.S. attorney John Giordano would be nominated as ambassador to Namibia, clearing the way for Habba’s new role.
With her appointment, Habba now holds a crucial federal law enforcement position in one of the country’s most politically charged states. How she wields her authority—and whether she pursues high-profile cases against political opponents—remains to be seen.
