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The ex-lawyer for the former president has resigned as the chief federal prosecutor in the state. This comes after a court battle that challenged her eligibility to hold the office.

Official Departure

The head of the Justice Department, Pam Bondi, confirmed Habba's resignation on Monday. Bondi stated that the court's "flawed" ruling made it unworkable for Habba to perform her duties.

"But do not mistake adherence to the ruling as defeat," she wrote. "The effort will now reach across the country."

Court Ruling

Habba's exit was triggered by a US appeals court determined that she had been unlawfully serving as US attorney. This ruling is likely to affect numerous prosecutions in the Garden State.

The appellate judges declared that a acting appointment that bypassed confirmation by the US Senate ran afoul of the Federal Vacancies Reform Act.

Ongoing Legal Battle

Bondi said that Habba will remain at the DOJ as a high-level advisor. She will pursue additional appeals of the disqualification, aiming for a different outcome.

In a statement, she argued that judges "must not countermand the executive's selection of lawyers responsible for carrying out the fundamental role of the presidency of enforcing the law."

Record and Legacy

The attorney general commended Habba's record and said that while she was in charge, the state capital of Newark saw a significant drop in crime. It was also reported that the southern city of Camden recorded its first summer in 50 years with no murders.

Connection to Donald Trump

Habba, first joined the former president's legal defense in recent years. She went on to represented Trump in his hush-money trial in New York last year, when he was conviction on multiple felony counts of financial record manipulation.

Earlier, Habba took on the top New Jersey post, Trump had announced he was appointing her as his White House advisor during his second administration, describing Habba as "unwavering in her loyalty" and a "tireless advocate for justice".