Federal Judge To Decide Legality Of Acting US Attorney Habba Appointment

U.S. District Judge Matthew Brann is reviewing the legality of Alina Habba's appointment as acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey amid challenges from defendants in a drug and murder case. Although Brann denied a motion to dismiss the indictment against Julien Giraud Jr. and his son, he is considering whether Habba's appointment, which bypassed Senate confirmation and was reinstated by Attorney General Pam Bondi after being ousted by New Jersey district judges, was constitutional. If the court finds her appointment unlawful, it may prohibit Habba and her assistants from prosecuting the Girauds' case moving forward. This judicial scrutiny arises after a political and legal struggle involving President Donald Trump and AG Bondi outmaneuvering judges who sought to remove Habba, reflecting broader tensions over federal appointments and prosecutorial authority. The trial involving the Girauds has been postponed pending a hearing on Habba's appointment, scheduled for August 15 in Pennsylvania. The case draws parallels to previous rulings questioning the constitutionality of appointments made without Senate confirmation, highlighting ongoing disputes about executive power and judicial oversight.