Acting US Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba, a prominent ally of former President Donald Trump, has become the target of a threatening incident that has prompted a federal manhunt. Attorney General Pam Bondi has deployed law enforcement resources to locate an individual who allegedly confronted Habba and destroyed property in her office.
The Incident and Immediate Response
The confrontation occurred on Wednesday night when an unidentified suspect managed to access the seventh floor of the federal building where Habba's office is located. According to Bondi's detailed post on X, the individual attempted to confront Habba directly and caused damage to property within the office.
Habba was not present in her office at the time of the incident, a source close to the situation confirmed to the Daily Mail. However, serious questions remain about how an unauthorized person successfully bypassed security measures to reach the seventh floor of the federal facility.
Official Statements and Security Concerns
In her Thursday post on X, Attorney General Bondi delivered a firm message: Any violence or threats of violence against any federal officer will not be tolerated. Period. She expressed concern that such incidents are becoming a troubling trend across the country, with radicals increasingly targeting law enforcement agents.
Habba responded to the incident with equal determination, writing on X: I will not be intimidated by radical lunatics for doing my job. The Justice Department has assured the public that it is employing all available tools to track down the suspect and ensure the safety of federal prosecutors and agents nationwide.
Habba's Controversial Appointment and Timeline
Alina Habba's appointment as interim US Attorney for the District of New Jersey in late March marked the beginning of a complex legal and political journey. Her initial 12-day term expired in late July, sparking legal disputes about whether she could continue serving as New Jersey's top attorney.
When a panel of judges for the District of New Jersey declined to extend Habba's interim term in July, appointing her first assistant Desiree Leigh Grace instead, Bondi intervened dramatically. She fired Grace hours later, arguing the judges were interfering with the President's Article II powers.
The White House subsequently withdrew Habba's Senate nomination and placed her in an acting capacity under the federal vacancy rule. This move gave her 210 days to remain in the role, leaving her with approximately 98 days remaining as of Thursday.
Broader Context and Political Implications
Habba represents the latest MAGA-aligned figure to experience threats or violence. Republicans have pointed to what they describe as rising left-wing violence, citing the September assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk as another example of this disturbing pattern.
Before her current role, Habba served as Counselor to the President during Donald Trump's first months in office, having previously acted as his defence attorney in personal lawsuits and a campaign surrogate during the 2024 election cycle.
The incident has intensified discussions about security for federal officials and the growing political tensions surrounding Trump-associated figures in government positions.
