HARRISBURG, Pa. — A federal judge has ruled that Alina Habba, who previously served as an attorney for former President Donald Trump, unlawfully retained her position as the U.S. attorney for New Jersey following the expiration of her interim appointment. In a decision made public Thursday, Judge Matthew Brann clarified the legal boundaries governing such roles and disqualified Habba from ongoing prosecutorial duties.

The court ruling states that Habba has lacked the legal authority to function in her position since July—a conclusion drawn after examining the circumstances surrounding her appointment. In a comprehensive 77-page opinion, Brann articulated that “she is not currently qualified” to perform the duties required for the office of U.S. attorney.

Habba was initially installed in her role in March, but her tenure was meant to last only 120 days, unless extended through a majority vote by district judges. When her term ended in July, the judges appointed Desiree Grace as her successor. However, the Justice Department intervened, displacing Grace and reappointing Habba, this time as “Special Attorney to the Attorney General.”

Interim U.S. attorneys are permitted to serve for a limited time unless there is an extension or a Senate-confirmed appointment. In cases where neither occurs, the first assistant to the U.S. attorney should assume leadership temporarily. Following Grace’s removal, Habba became the senior-most figure in the office, managing to maintain her role amid ongoing political controversies over judicial appointments.

The ruling emerged from a legal challenge filed by three defendants charged with crimes in New Jersey. They argued that prosecutions led by Habba were invalid, as she lacked the legal backing to carry out such duties following the lapse of her interim status. Although Judge Brann agreed with the defendants regarding her authority, he did not dismiss their charges outright. Instead, he held that any future actions carried out under Habba’s direction would be rendered void.

The case was shifted to Brann after Michael A. Chagares, chief judge of the Third Circuit, deemed it necessary for public interest reasons. During the transition, Brann opted to stay his ruling, allowing Habba to continue her work while the situation is assessed by higher courts.

The Justice Department, which defended Habba’s reappointment, had contended that the President holds broad powers in appointing U.S. attorneys, a stance it backed in recent court documents. Participants in the judicial process indicated that the situation remains particularly contentious, given the ongoing partisan battles over federal appointments.

Shortly after assuming her interim role, Habba initiated an investigation targeting New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, focusing on the state’s immigration policies. While this inquiry has yet to lead to any charges, her office faced scrutiny after charging Representative LaMonica McIver with assaulting federal officers during a recent congressional oversight trip to an immigration facility.

As debates about legal authority and the roles of federal prosecutors continue, the ramifications of this ruling may shape judicial practices in U.S. attorney offices moving forward. Lawmakers and legal experts alike will be closely monitoring the situation as it unfolds.