Trump DOJ Temporary Appointments Face Lower Court Challenges, Potential Supreme Court Review

President Donald Trump's administration is engaged in a legal struggle over the appointment of U.S. attorneys, as Democratic home state senators delay confirmations and the administration uses unconventional methods to extend interim appointments, prompting disputes over the authority to appoint these officials. In New Jersey, the firing of Desiree Leigh Grace by the acting U.S. attorney, Alina Habba, after court-appointed judges selected Grace, has led to confusion and legal challenges regarding Habba’s legitimacy, with critics accusing Habba of politically motivated prosecutions. This conflict highlights constitutional questions about the separation of powers between Article II executive officials and Article III judges, with experts predicting the Supreme Court may ultimately resolve the dispute. Meanwhile, federal judges who have ruled against the Trump administration report facing threats, underscoring the heightened tensions surrounding these judicial decisions. Additionally, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals recently granted a stay on a preliminary injunction against a Trump executive order limiting collective bargaining rights for federal workers, illustrating ongoing legal battles involving the administration. These developments reflect the broader contentious relationship between the Trump presidency and the judiciary.