Trump administration fires U.S. Attorney amid judicial power struggle

In the United States, on July 23, 2025, Attorney General Pam Bondi terminated the newly appointed U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, Desiree Leigh Grace. This decision followed a rare appointment by a panel of New Jersey judges who selected Grace after the expiration of Alina Habba's acting term. Habba, who had been appointed by President Trump in March 2025, was replaced due to her lack of Senate approval. The judges’ move to appoint Grace drew the ire of the Justice Department, which labeled the judges as 'rogue' and claimed their actions undermined Trump’s constitutional authority. Sens. Cory Booker and Andy Kim criticized the firing, linking it to an ongoing pattern of the Trump administration's attempts to undermine judicial independence. Bondi's statement emphasized that the Department of Justice does not tolerate judges perceived as acting politically. This event exemplifies the tensions and conflicts between the judiciary and the executive branch under the Trump administration, highlighting concerns over the rule of law and judicial independence. As the legal profession continues to scrutinize the Trump administration's actions, Grace's termination serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing debates over the intersections of law, politics, and judicial authority.