Overview
- A Third Circuit panel upheld a district judge’s finding that the administration’s maneuvers to keep Habba in office violated federal vacancies and appointments law.
- Habba will serve as senior adviser to Attorney General Pam Bondi, who criticized the courts and said DOJ will seek further review, with no Supreme Court appeal filed yet.
- Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche assigned Philip Lamparello, Jordan Fox and Ari Fontecchio to divide criminal, civil, appellate and administrative duties in the New Jersey office.
- Judges had paused sentencings, plea agreements and upcoming trials during the dispute over who had lawful authority to act for the office.
- The case is part of a broader pattern: courts have invalidated similar interim appointments in Virginia, Nevada and California, including the Virginia ruling that led to dismissal of indictments signed by Lindsey Halligan.