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.

President Donald Trump selected Alina Habba to continue running the US Attorney’s Office in New Jersey on a temporary basis, the latest twist in a succession drama after federal judges had picked her top assistant to take her place.