Alina Habba, a longtime legal ally and former personal attorney to President Donald Trump, has officially been sworn in as the interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey. The ceremony, held in the Oval Office, marked a significant step in Habba’s career as she transitions from a prominent civil litigator and White House counselor to the top federal prosecutor in her home state. Attorney General Pam Bondi administered the oath, with President Trump looking on.
Habba, 41, succeeds John Giordano, who had been serving as interim U.S. Attorney since earlier this month. President Trump announced Giordano’s nomination as U.S. Ambassador to Namibia concurrent with Habba’s appointment. The swearing-in ceremony came just days after Trump revealed his decision, praising Habba’s “diligence and conviction” and expressing confidence that she would “fight tirelessly to secure a legal system that is both fair and just for the wonderful people of New Jersey.”
During the ceremony, Trump highlighted Habba’s New Jersey roots and her potential to address crime and corruption in the state. “She’ll work tirelessly to weed out crime and corruption and restore law and order to the Garden State,” Trump said, adding that he considers New Jersey “a great place” that is “highly underrated.” Habba, in turn, expressed gratitude to the president, stating, “I would not be standing here today if it was not for the man to my right,” gesturing toward Trump. She pledged to bring the same tenacity to her new role that she displayed while defending Trump in high-profile civil cases.
A native of Summit, New Jersey, Habba rose to national prominence in 2021 as a fierce advocate for Trump, serving as his legal spokesperson and a senior adviser to his political action committee, MAGA Inc. She represented him in several notable lawsuits, including a defamation case brought by writer E. Jean Carroll and a civil fraud trial led by New York Attorney General Letitia James.
While those cases resulted in significant financial penalties for Trump—currently under appeal—Habba’s combative style and unwavering loyalty earned her a place in Trump’s inner circle. Most recently, she served as counselor to the president before taking on this new role overseeing approximately 150 federal prosecutors in New Jersey.
Habba’s appointment has sparked a mix of anticipation and skepticism. Supporters view her as a reformer poised to tackle corruption and crime, areas she has emphasized in public statements.
Speaking to reporters outside the White House earlier this week, she criticized New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Senator Cory Booker, asserting that they had “failed the state” amid rising crime in cities like Newark and Camden. “We’re going to do a bang-up job,” she promised, vowing to end what she calls the “weaponization of justice.”
Critics, however, point to her lack of prosecutorial experience as a potential liability. Prior to joining Trump’s legal team, Habba managed a small law firm, Habba Madaio & Associates LLP, based near Trump’s Bedminster golf course, focusing on civil litigation. Her legal career also includes a stint as in-house counsel for a parking garage company and earlier work on cases related to nursing home negligence during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her high-profile tenure with Trump brought scrutiny as well; in 2023, she and Trump were fined nearly $1 million by a Florida judge for filing a “frivolous” lawsuit against Hillary Clinton, a decision that fueled debate over her legal judgment.
The District of New Jersey, encompassing Newark, Trenton, and Camden, is a significant federal jurisdiction with a history of launching prominent legal careers, including those of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito Jr. and former Governor Chris Christie.
Whether Habba’s interim tenure will lead to a permanent appointment remains unclear, as Trump has not specified his long-term plans for the position.