Habba’s term as the interim U.S. attorney expired this week, and since the Senate never voted to confirm her, it was up to federal judges in the state to vote to extend her term—which they declined to do, instead appointing her deputy Desiree Leigh Grace to fill the role on Tuesday.

New Jersey's U.S. District Court judges opted to appoint someone else, but a Justice Department maneuver has kept Alina Habba in the post.

Alina Habba, President Donald Trump 's former personal defense lawyer, declared on Thursday that she has resumed her post as acting U.S. attorney for the district of New Jersey.