The 3rd US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Alina Habba, former personal attorney to President Trump, unlawfully served as US attorney for New Jersey, potentially impacting similar appointments. The court determined the Trump administration circumvented the Senate confirmation process, rendering Habba’s appointment illegal. This decision could have repercussions in other jurisdictions without Senate-confirmed US attorneys, and it builds upon a district court decision that threw out indictments in Virginia. The Justice Department could appeal the ruling, while criminal cases in the affected districts continue with some trials or sentencings being postponed.
Read More
Ed Martin, President Trump’s nominee for U.S. Attorney for D.C., repeatedly appeared on Russian state-funded media outlets RT and Sputnik between 2016 and 2024, failing to disclose these appearances to the Senate. His commentary often echoed pro-Russian narratives, including downplaying the Syrian chemical attack and Russian military buildup in Ukraine. This omission, along with his frequent pro-Kremlin statements, has raised concerns regarding his judgment and candor, particularly given the U.S. Attorney’s office’s crucial role in national security prosecutions. Critics argue his actions constitute poor judgment and potentially disqualifying behavior.
Read More
Former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Jessica Aber, passed away unexpectedly at age 43. Before her resignation in January, she oversaw significant national security cases, including the prosecution of a former CIA analyst for leaking classified information, several Russian nationals involved in cybercrime and money laundering, and a Virginia company for illegally exporting sensitive technology to Russia. She also led investigations into alleged war crimes committed by Russian-linked individuals in Ukraine. An investigation into the circumstances of her death is currently underway.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker