File photo courtesy of The Press Democrat

 

A US appeals court disqualified Alina Habba, a former lawyer for US President Donald Trump, from her position as acting top federal prosecutor in New Jersey, creating potential impacts on numerous cases. The court ruled the method used to appoint Habba, circumventing Senate approval, breached the Federal Vacancies Reform Act. This decision signals challenges to other appointments made under similar circumstances by the Trump administration.

 

The court's decision on Monday highlights ongoing issues with administrative appointments, particularly how the Trump administration installed officials without Senate confirmation. A district court had previously rejected Habba, but the administration exploited a loophole to appoint him. Judge Michael Fisher noted in the ruling the administration's attempts to overcome "legal and political barriers."

 

Three lawyers contested Habba's authority, marking the ruling as a precedent-setting decision against circumventing the appointment process. According to their statement, this ruling establishes the legal boundaries intended to prevent such political manoeuvres. The BBC reports that Habba's connections with Trump began in 2021, and she has played significant roles in his legal battles, including his hush-money trial.

 

The ruling means the Department of Justice must now appoint a new prosecutor for New Jersey. Similar challenges to appointments have resulted in cases being dismissed, such as with Lindsey Halligan in Virginia and Bill Essayli in California. Meanwhile, another appointment was voided, as Sigal Chattah in Nevada was similarly disqualified.

 

This decision is expected to influence future appointments and ensure adherence to legal protocols. Experts believe the ruling may prompt a review of appointments made by the current administration, affecting ongoing prosecutions. The legal community continues to watch as defence teams attempt to overturn appointments lacking formal confirmation, according to the BBC.

 

 

 

Key Takeaways:

 

• Alina Habba disqualified as NJ prosecutor for bypassing Senate approval.
• Ruling sets a precedent against Trump's similar appointments.
• DOJ required to make new appointment; ongoing cases could be affected.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-12-02

 

 

 

Federal death penalty advocate...

The Kraken! 🤣

Trump "I'll choose the best people for my administration'. 

REDUX Soapbox this morning:

 

NYTimes headline this morning:

 

Appeals Court Says Alina Habba Is Unlawful U.S. Attorney
The judges wrote that the Trump administration appeared to have become frustrated by legal and political barriers that have prevented its preferred U.S. attorneys from leading federal prosecutors’ offices.

 

NB Plural 'attorneys'

Direct result of choice based on loyalty rather than professional competence. A hallmark of the trump 2nd administration.

I suspect he brought her in because she looks like Mel did 25 years ago.

With the understanding that she take dictation. 

 

Don’t let the door bruise your Fanny as they give you the well deserved boot!🥾 

4 hours ago, Wrwest said:

Direct result of choice based on loyalty rather than professional competence. A hallmark of the trump 2nd administration.

I’m not sure it’s loyalty: Trump seems to have a definite liking for dumb blonds.

6 hours ago, Wrwest said:

Direct result of choice based on loyalty rather than professional competence. A hallmark of the trump 2nd administration.

 

A hallmark of any degenerate criminal despot. Bro' Putin did the same with his top brass and look where it got him.

 

Fortunately the US body democratic still appears to twitch occasionally.