A veteran federal prosecutor has been selected to lead the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey, bringing a measure of stability after months of legal turmoil surrounding former acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba.
Robert Frazer, who has spent more than 20 years in the office, was appointed to the role by federal district judges, according to a brief order posted on the U.S. District Court for New Jersey’s website. The Justice Department confirmed the move in court filings, noting it came after discussions between the judiciary and senior department officials.
Frazer steps into the position after a period of uncertainty triggered by Habba’s removal. Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Matthew Brann ruled that Habba had been unlawfully serving as U.S. attorney after her 120-day interim term expired. The court rejected a series of efforts by the Trump administration to keep her in the role beyond that limit.
Following Habba’s departure in December, leadership of the office was handed to a group of three prosecutors. That arrangement was also later deemed unlawful by the court.
Despite the ruling, Habba praised Frazer’s appointment, saying New Jersey “deserves a great chief federal law enforcement official” aligned with former President Donald Trump’s public safety priorities. She also suggested coordination between federal judges and top Justice Department officials helped move the process forward.
Habba has indicated she may attempt to reclaim the position if a higher court ultimately rules in her favor.
The dispute in New Jersey reflects a broader national clash over the appointment of U.S. attorneys. Several Trump-backed candidates across the country have faced similar challenges as Senate confirmations have stalled. In multiple districts—including Nevada, California, New York, and Virginia—judges have stepped in to remove or decline to extend interim appointees whose terms expired.
At the center of the conflict is federal vacancy law, which allows district courts to appoint U.S. attorneys when interim terms lapse. Trump allies argue that the president retains sole authority to select prosecutors, even beyond those time limits, while courts have increasingly asserted their statutory role.
The Senate’s “blue slip” tradition—giving home-state senators the power to block nominees—has further complicated confirmations, contributing to the growing number of vacancies. As a result, only a fraction of U.S. attorney offices nationwide are currently led by Senate-confirmed appointees.
