Former President Donald Trump has named Alina Habba, a longtime ally and his former personal attorney, as interim U.S. attorney for New Jersey. The appointment highlights Trump’s ongoing strategy of placing trusted associates in top legal positions during his second term.
Habba, who gained national attention for defending Trump in several high-profile civil cases, also served as a spokesperson during his 2024 campaign. As interim U.S. attorney, she will oversee one of the country’s most powerful federal prosecutor’s offices, managing around 150 federal prosecutors. She replaces John Giordano, who Trump has nominated as ambassador to Namibia.
In her official statement, Habba said she was “honored” by the appointment and reaffirmed her commitment to “truth and justice.” Her remarks echoed the strong, confrontational style that characterized her legal defense of Trump. “Just like I did during my time as President Trump’s personal attorney, I will continue to fight for truth and justice,” she said.
I am honored to serve my home state of New Jersey as Interim U.S. Attorney and I am grateful to President Trump for entrusting me with this tremendous responsibility. Just like I did during my time as President Trump’s personal attorney, I will continue to fight for truth and…
— Alina Habba (@AlinaHabba) March 24, 2025
What makes Habba’s appointment particularly noteworthy is her background. Unlike most U.S. attorneys, she has no experience as a federal prosecutor. Before working with Trump, she led a small civil litigation firm. Her prominence grew as she defended Trump in lawsuits filed by New York Attorney General Letitia James and writer E. Jean Carroll. Both cases resulted in large financial judgments against Trump, which are currently being appealed.
Despite those outcomes, Habba’s unwavering loyalty has earned her Trump’s trust. Her new role makes her the first of Trump’s personal lawyers to lead a U.S. attorney’s office, strengthening his influence over regional operations of the Department of Justice.
The daughter of Iraqi immigrants who fled persecution in the 1980s, Habba began working with Trump in 2021 after meeting him at his Bedminster golf club, according to The New York Times. Since then, she has represented him in several high-profile legal matters, including a $100 million lawsuit against The New York Times and Mary Trump, and disputes involving former associates Summer Zervos and Michael Cohen.
Not all of her legal efforts have been successful. In one case, a federal judge imposed nearly $1 million in sanctions on her and Trump for filing a frivolous lawsuit against several of Trump’s political adversaries.
Nevertheless, Habba has remained a loyal and vocal supporter of the former president. At the 2024 Republican National Convention, she described herself as a “feisty Jersey girl” tired of “far-left corruption in Washington.”
On Monday, speaking outside the White House, Habba criticized Democratic leaders in New Jersey, claiming there is widespread crime and corruption in areas represented by Senator Cory Booker and Governor Phil Murphy. She promised to take a tougher approach to law enforcement from the federal level.
It is still unclear whether Trump plans to nominate Habba for the position on a permanent basis. She did not comment on her long-term goals during her public remarks.
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