Trio of Habba successors are unlawfully leading NJ US Attorney’s office, judge rules
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The Bottom Line
A federal judge ruled that three officials leading the New Jersey U.S. Attorney's office were unlawfully appointed.
How This Affects You
This ruling could lead to changes in leadership at a key federal prosecutor's office, potentially affecting federal legal cases in New Jersey.
AI Summary
A federal judge has ruled that three officials leading the New Jersey U.S. Attorney's office are doing so unlawfully, rejecting the Trump administration's method for their appointment. U.S. District Judge Matthew Brann stated that Attorney General Pam Bondi does not possess the authority to bypass Senate confirmation for these positions. The ruling impacts the leadership structure of a key federal prosecutorial office. This decision underscores ongoing judicial scrutiny regarding executive branch appointments and adherence to established congressional approval processes. The administration's next steps, including potential appeals or revised appointment procedures, remain to be seen.
What's Being Done
A federal judge ruled that three officials leading the New Jersey U.S. Attorney's office were unlawfully appointed.
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<p>Federal judge said prosecutors picked to replace Alina Habba repeated error of bypassing congressional approval</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/feb/17/sign-up-for-the-breaking-news-us-email-to-get-newsletter-alerts-direct-to-your-inbox?utm_medium=ACQUISITIONS_STANDFIRST&utm_campaign=BN22326&utm_content=signup&utm_term=standfirst&utm_source=GUARDIAN_WEB">Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox</a></p></li></ul><p>Three prosecutors installed by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/trump-administration">Donald Trump’s administration</a> to lead the New Jersey attorney general’s office after the president’s former personal lawyer was disqualified from the role in December were also illegally appointed, a federal judge has ruled.</p><p>Pam Bondi, the US attorney general, handpicked the three to replace Alina Habba, who <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/08/alina-habba-resign-n...
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FCC chair threatens to throttle news broadcasts over ‘hoaxes’ about Iran war
<p>Brendan Carr posts that he may cancel spectrum permits of ‘mainstream news’ outlets for ‘misleading’ coverage</p><p>The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/trump-administration">Trump administration</a>’s communications licensing tsar fired a warning shot over the US broadcasting industry Saturday, threatening to cancel the spectrum permits of broadcasters pushing what he termed “hoaxes and news distortions”.</p><p>Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chair Brendan Carr posted on social media that broadcasters running “fake news – have a chance now to correct course before their license renewals come up. The law is clear. Broadcasters must operate in the public interest, and they will lose their licenses if they do not.”</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/14/fcc-broadcast-permits-iran-war-news">Continue reading...</a>
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