New Jersey's top prosecutor leaves her post following court rules against her appointment.
The ex-lawyer for the former president has stepped down as New Jersey's top federal prosecutor. This comes after a court battle that questioned her eligibility to hold the office.
Official Departure
US Attorney General, Pam Bondi, accepted Habba's resignation on the start of the week. In a statement that the court's "flawed" ruling made it "untenable" for the official to perform her duties.
"But do not mistake compliance for surrender," she wrote. "My fight will now reach across the nation."
Court Ruling
Her resignation comes a week after a federal appellate panel ruled that she had been unlawfully serving as the top prosecutor. This ruling is could influence scores of legal proceedings in the state.
The appellate judges declared that a interim role that skirted the advice and consent of the Senate ran afoul of the federal law governing appointments.
Ongoing Legal Battle
Bondi said that the former prosecutor will remain at the justice department as a high-level advisor. She will challenge the decision of the ruling, in the hope of achieving a overturned decision.
In a statement, the Attorney General argued that judges "cannot be permitted to second-guess the President's choice of prosecutors tasked with performing the primary duty of the administration of criminal prosecution."
Record and Legacy
The attorney general highlighted Habba's record and said that while she was in charge, the state capital of Newark saw a 20% reduction in crime. She also stated that the Camden experienced its first summer in half a century free from homicides.
Legal Career
The 41-year-old attorney, was initially recruited to Trump's personal legal team in recent years. Subsequently, she acted for Trump in his hush-money trial in the previous year, when he was guilty verdict on dozens of charges of document fraud.
Earlier, assuming the role of US Attorney, Donald Trump had announced he was naming her as his White House advisor in a potential future term, describing Habba as a steadfast ally and a "tireless advocate for justice".
