JERSEY CITY, NJ –– Today, Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement after the Third Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the district court’s order ruling disqualifying Alina Habba from leading the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey.

“Today’s unanimous ruling by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals affirms that Alina Habba has been unlawfully serving as U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey. This decision vindicates concerns we have long raised about the extraordinary and unlawful steps taken by the TrumpAdministration to keep Habba in office without Senate confirmation.

“The Court’s ruling underscores a simple but fundamental principle: U.S. Attorneys must be independent and installed consistent with the rule of law, not because of their political loyalty or through political maneuvering. The Trump Administration’s attempt to bypass clear legal requirements to install a loyalist undermined the legitimacy of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey and cast a shadow over the cases she oversaw. To restore public trust in our state’s chief federal prosecutor, we urge the administration to follow the long-established process and work with us to identify a qualified U.S. Attorney for New Jersey — one who will enforce the law fairly, impartially, and with full respect for due process. They must understand that they are bound to the legal requirements for nominating U.S. Attorneys and we will not allow Donald Trump to jeopardize the safety of New Jerseyans.”

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