Washington, 9 December (H.S.): Alina Habba, a close ally and former personal lawyer to former US President Donald Trump, resigned on Monday as New Jersey’s top federal prosecutor after an appeals court ruled that she was unlawfully serving in the post.In her resignation statement, Habba described the court’s decision as “political,” but said she was stepping down “to protect the stability and integrity” of her office.

“Do not mistake compliance for surrender,” she posted on social media, pledging that the administration would continue appealing the ruling.Habba, 41, was appointed in March to a temporary term as acting US Attorney for New Jersey — a powerful position overseeing federal criminal and civil prosecutions in the state.

Despite having little experience as a prosecutor, she became one of Trump’s most visible legal defenders during his years out of office, frequently representing him in court and on television.Her tenure was short-lived and fraught with controversy.

The Philadelphia-based federal appeals court earlier this month upheld a ruling that her appointment violated legal provisions requiring Senate confirmation, writing that “the citizens of New Jersey and the loyal employees of the US Attorney’s Office deserve clarity and stability.

”Following the decision, Habba’s responsibilities have been temporarily divided among three senior officials. She will, however, remain within the Department of Justice as a senior adviser to Attorney General Pam Bondi, who strongly criticised what she called “politically motivated judges” undermining the executive’s authority.

Bondi defended Habba’s record, stating that the department would “fight to reverse this decision” and that Habba would return to her role if appeals succeed. She argued that judges should not “countermand the President’s authority to appoint attorneys carrying out the executive branch’s duty to prosecute crime.”

The case adds to a string of legal disputes surrounding Trump administration appointments, including challenges to other interim prosecutors accused of serving without legal authority.Habba’s departure deepens the political and judicial tensions surrounding Trump’s second-term Justice Department, which continues to face accusations of sidestepping constitutional norms to install loyalists in key prosecutorial roles.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar