NJ U.S. Attorney Appointment Sparks DOJ-Judiciary Clash

A dispute has erupted over the appointment of New Jersey's U.S. attorney after Attorney General Pam Bondi removed Desiree Leigh Grace, who had been selected by district court judges to replace outgoing interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, a former Trump lawyer. The judges chose Grace after declining to permanently appoint Habba when her 120-day interim term expired. The Department of Justice accused the judges and Democratic Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim of acting politically, while Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche argued the judiciary undermined presidential authority. In response, Booker and Kim criticized the DOJ for disregarding judicial independence and the rule of law. The conflict has left uncertainty over who will ultimately serve as New Jersey's U.S. attorney. The episode underscores a broader national debate over politicization of the Justice Department and limits of executive power.