Judge plans Wednesday ruling on Alina Habba's authority as New Jersey's top prosecutor

Source: Politico

08/15/2025 04:50 PM EDT


WILLIAMSPORT, Pennsylvania — A federal judge plans to rule next week on whether controversial acting New Jersey U.S. Attorney Alina Habba has the right to continue in her role.

Judge Matthew Brann, who sits in Pennsylvania’s Middle District, joked Friday that two cases challenging Habba’s authority over a district 130 miles away from where he sits fell to him “for my sins.” He said he hopes to rule Wednesday, but certainly will by the end of the week, and he suggested the losing side would inevitably appeal his decision.

Brann — a Republican appointed in 2012 by Democratic President Barack Obama — asked pointed questions to both sides during the nearly four-hour hearing, which often turned on obscure statutory interpretations and legal doctrine but grew heated toward its end.

And while Brann gave few hints as to what side he’ll come down on as to whether Habba is the rightful acting U.S. attorney, he peppered government attorneys with skeptical questions about her appointment by Attorney General Pam Bondi as “special attorney,” which could allow her to effectively oversee the office for years without the U.S. attorney title.

Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/15/alina-habba-nj-prosecutory-hearing-00512347