President Donald Trump announced today the appointment of Alina Habba, his longtime personal attorney and current White House counselor, as the interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey. The decision, effective immediately, marks a significant shift in the state’s top federal prosecutorial role, with Habba stepping into the position vacated by John Giordano, whom Trump has nominated as the next U.S. Ambassador to Namibia.
In a statement posted on his Truth Social platform, Trump praised Habba’s dedication and legal acumen, noting her extensive history of representing him in high-profile cases. “It is with great pleasure that I am announcing Alina Habba, Esq., who is currently serving as Counselor to the President, and has represented me for a long time, will be our interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, her Home State,” Trump wrote. “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.”
Habba, a New Jersey native, expressed her gratitude for the appointment in a post on X, stating, “I am honored to serve my home state of New Jersey as Interim U.S. Attorney and I am grateful to President Trump for entrusting me with this tremendous responsibility. Just like I did during my time as President Trump’s personal attorney, I will continue to fight for truth and justice. We will end the weaponization of justice, once and for all.”
Speaking to reporters outside the White House earlier today, Habba outlined her priorities, emphasizing a commitment to tackling corruption and crime in the state. “If you look at what happened in crime, what’s going on in Newark, what’s going on in Camden, this has been a neglected state,” she said. “It is one of the most populated states for its size, and it needs to stop. We’re going to do a bang-up job.” She also signaled her intent to work closely with Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Department of Justice to advance the president’s “America First” agenda.
Habba’s appointment follows her tenure as a prominent legal advocate for Trump, including her representation in civil cases such as the New York business fraud lawsuit and defamation trials involving writer E. Jean Carroll. Her legal career, rooted in private practice at her Bedminster-based firm Habba Madaio & Associates, has been marked by a close association with the former president, whose political action committees have paid her firm $3.6 million for legal services, according to financial records.
The transition comes as John Giordano, who assumed the interim U.S. Attorney role earlier this month, prepares to depart for his new diplomatic post. Trump congratulated Giordano on his nomination, stating, “John has done a terrific job as the interim U.S. Attorney in New Jersey, and will now be nominated as the new Ambassador to Namibia.”
While Habba’s appointment has drawn praise from Trump allies, it has also raised questions about her limited experience in federal prosecution, with her background primarily centered in state-level civil litigation. Critics have pointed to her high-profile losses in Trump-related cases, though supporters argue her loyalty and tenacity make her a fitting choice for the role.
As interim U.S. Attorney, Habba will oversee more than 150 attorneys and manage federal criminal prosecutions and civil litigation across New Jersey. Her tenure is expected to focus on aligning the district’s legal efforts with the administration’s broader justice reform goals, though the duration of her interim status remains unclear, with no permanent appointee yet named.
The announcement, made on March 24, 2025, underscores Trump’s pattern of elevating trusted confidants to key positions within his administration, a trend also reflected in recent Justice Department appointments of other former Trump attorneys. As Habba prepares to depart her White House role for New Jersey, her influence within the president’s inner circle appears poised to grow further. 17GEN4.com
Comments