This week saw Democrat-appointed judges on the U.S. District Court of New Jersey refuse to retain former Trump lawyer Alina Habba as acting U.S. attorney.

That move has left the Department of Justice (DOJ) furious, and it has responded by firing her successor. 

Attorney general takes aim at "politically minded judges"

According to The Hill, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on Tuesday that Desiree Leigh Grace had been removed shortly after the judges had selected her to replace Habba.

"[Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba] has been doing a great job in making N.J. safe again. Nonetheless, politically minded judges refused to allow her to continue in her position, replacing Alina with the First Assistant," Bondi said in a statement posted to social media.

.@USAttyHabba has been doing a great job in making NJ safe again. Nonetheless, politically minded judges refused to allow her to continue in her position, replacing Alina with the First Assistant.

Accordingly, the First Assistant United States Attorney in New Jersey has just…

— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) July 22, 2025

"Accordingly, the First Assistant United States Attorney in New Jersey has just been removed," the attorney general continued.

Deputy attorney general: "This was never about law—it was about politics"

"This Department of Justice does not tolerate rogue judges — especially when they threaten the President’s core Article II powers," she went on to add.

Bondi's sentiments were echoed by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who was quick to post a statement of his own, writing, "The district judges in NJ just proved this was never about law—it was about politics."

"They forced out President Trump’s pick, [Habba], then installed her deputy, colluding with the NJ Senators along the way. It won’t work," he declared.

"Pursuant to the President’s authority, we have removed that deputy, effective immediately," Blanche stressed before asserting that "[t]his backroom vote will not override the authority of the Chief Executive."

Newark mayor sues Habba over trespassing charge

The Hill recalled how Habba made headlines last month when she was named in a lawsuit by Ras Baraka, who is the Democratic mayor of Newark, New Jersey.

Habba brought a trespassing charge against Baraka over an incident at an immigration facility last month which also saw New Jersey Democratic Rep. LaMonica McIver hit with charges of assaulting, resisting, impeding and interfering with a federal officer.

The charge against Baraka was ultimately dropped, and he filed suit against Habba for false arrest, malicious prosecution, and defamation.

What's more, Baraka further contends that the acting U.S. attorney was a "political operative, outside of any function intimately related to the judicial process."