Alina Habba disqualification deals significant legal blow to Trump

Alina Habba attends her swearing-in ceremony as interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 28, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein

An appeals court on Monday upheld a lower court ruling disqualifying Alina Habba, President Donald Trump's interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, NBC News reports.

Trump appointed Habba, who has represented Trump in several high-profile cases, including the E. Jean Carroll defamation case, in March. After her interim term expired in July 2025, the administration attempted to use legal maneuvers to keep her in the role, leading to significant legal controversy.

In a 32-page ruling, the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals found that Habba's appointment violates the Federal Vacancies Reform Act, NBC News explains.

"It is apparent that the current administration has been frustrated by some of the legal and political barriers to getting its appointees in place," wrote Judge Michael Fisher.

Journalist and former BuzzFeed News legal editor Chris Geidner posted the news on Bluesky, saying, "NEWS: A unanimous Third Circuit panel rules that Alina Habba is not U.S. Attorney, cannot be Acting U.S. Attorney, and cannot have the powers delegated to her."

Retired Random House copy chief and author Benjamin Dreyer replied to Geidner, saying, "Well, that's a funsy ruling!"

Journalist Bill Grueskin wondered on Bluesky, "Do we know what this means for any indictments that she may have signed, or other cases done under her authority?"

Tennis titan Martina Navratilova mused on X, "The irony. A lawyer illegally appointed to be the Law Czar in NJ… go figure."

CNN anchor Jim Sciutto writes on X that this ruling is "dealing a legal blow to the Trump administration that could have far-reaching consequences on other appointments across the country."

J-L Cauvin, comedian and Democratic candidate for Congress in New Jersey's 11th congressional district posted on X, "Alina Habba is illegally serving as NJ's U.S. Attorney. Trump's fondness of barely (il)legal continues."

University of Michigan Law professor Barb McQuade posted on X that "Third circuit finds appointment of interim US Attorney Alina Habba is invalid. Courts have consistently struck down Trump’s efforts to evade Senate confirmation process."

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