On Tuesday, former President Donald Trump nominated Alina Habba to be U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey—a move that, if confirmed, would officially remove her interim status. The nomination has stirred controversy, largely because Habba has no prior prosecutorial experience. Instead, she is known primarily as Trump’s personal lawyer and former campaign spokeswoman.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey is one of the most powerful federal law enforcement offices in the country and has historically served as a springboard for major political and judicial careers. Trump’s decision to nominate Habba, a close ally, has been criticized as politically motivated.
After her appointment earlier this year, Habba told a conservative podcast: “We could turn New Jersey red. I really do believe that. Hopefully while I’m there, I can help that cause.”
Who is Alina Habba?
Alina Habba is a practicing attorney based in New Jersey. She is the daughter of Catholic Iraqi immigrants who came to the United States to escape religious persecution.
Before representing Trump, Habba ran a small civil litigation firm. She became part of Trump’s legal team in 2021 after meeting him at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey.
Habba has represented Trump in several high-profile legal battles. She filed a $100 million lawsuit against The New York Times and Trump’s niece Mary Trump, which was later dismissed. She was also involved in Trump’s legal defense against E. Jean Carroll’s defamation lawsuit, which resulted in an $83.3 million damages award against Trump. In addition, she played a key role in the New York Attorney General’s civil fraud case, which ended with Trump being ordered to pay over $450 million.
Habba has since become a public face of Trump’s legal efforts, often appearing in the media to defend him. She was recently named “Chaldean Woman of the Year” for her achievements in law and politics.
Source: X/@AlinaHabba
Alina Habba’s educational qualifications
Habba graduated from Kent Place School in 2002. She then attended Lehigh University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in political science in 2005.
After working for a period in the fashion industry with Marc Jacobs, Habba returned to school to study law. She received her Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Widener University School of Law in Pennsylvania in 2010.
There is no record of Habba holding any previous prosecutorial role before her 2024 interim appointment as U.S. Attorney.
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