Trump admin live updates: White House maneuver keeps Habba as top NJ prosecutor

President Donald Trump’s bid to maintain control over the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey took a surprising turn on Thursday. Just a day before Alina Habba’s term as interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey was set to end, the White House withdrew her nomination for the position.

In a bold move, Habba announced on social media that she is now the acting United States Attorney, effectively resetting the clock on what is typically a 120-day temporary term. “I don’t back down to pressure. I don’t bow to politics. This is a battle for justice. And I’m fully committed,” Habba declared online.

This unconventional legal maneuver seems to bring an end to a deadlock that arose when federal judges in New Jersey chose Desiree Leigh Grace, a seasoned federal prosecutor, over Habba, who is not only the president’s former personal attorney but also his preferred candidate to lead the office. The Department of Justice swiftly announced Grace’s dismissal, leaving the office’s leadership in limbo.

In response, Grace took to social media to express her willingness to assume the office “in compliance with the law.” The Trump administration’s decision to retract Habba’s nomination and appoint her as acting U.S. Attorney appears to exploit a provision of the Federal Vacancies Reform Act, allowing an acting official to serve for up to 210 days if no nominee is put forward for the position.

This development underscores the ongoing power struggle within the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey, highlighting the tension between political influence and legal independence. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how this latest twist will impact the office’s operations and the administration of justice in the state. Stay tuned for further updates on this evolving story.

-ABC News’ Peter Charalambous and Alexander Mallin