INSTALLED. REMOVED. REINSTALLED. REMOVED AGAIN. THE COURT BATTLE THAT FORCED ALINA HABBA OUT.

In a stunning reversal, Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba is stepping down after the Third Circuit ruled she was disqualified from the role — a legal blow that unraveled months of political maneuvering.

Habba, Trump’s former personal attorney, was sworn in for a 120-day term in March.
But the path to the top job became chaotic:
• A federal panel refused to extend her term in July.
• DOJ fired First Assistant Desiree Grace and put Habba back in anyway.
• Defendants argued the move violated vacancy laws.
• Judges agreed — twice.

The appeals court ruled Bondi never legally made Habba the “first assistant,” meaning she couldn’t lawfully return as acting U.S. attorney.
It also said her Senate nomination automatically barred her from serving, even after the nomination was withdrawn.

Judge Fisher called the administration’s logic self-defeating, writing that the public deserves “clarity and stability” — something this appointment never had.