Interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba’s future as New Jersey’s top federal prosecutor was thrown into uncertainty Tuesday after district court judges voted not to extend her tenure—and the Department of Justice quickly fired her designated replacement. Habba’s 120-day term was due to expire this week, at which point federal judges had the authority to either retain her or appoint a successor.

The judges, many appointed by Democratic presidents, selected Desiree Grace, Habba’s deputy and a longtime prosecutor, to take over the role. However, the DOJ responded by abruptly removing Grace from the position, leaving the office in a state of limbo and sparking questions over who will now lead the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey.

Attorney General Pam Bondi condemned the judges’ move, calling it a violation of presidential authority. “The DOJ does not tolerate rogue judges—especially when they threaten the President’s core Article II powers,” Bondi said. She added on X: “.@USAttyHabba has been doing a great job in making NJ safe again… Accordingly, the First Assistant United States Attorney in New Jersey has just been removed.”

Habba, formerly a personal attorney and campaign spokeswoman for President Donald Trump, attracted controversy during her short tenure. In May, she ordered the arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka for allegedly trespassing at an immigration facility—charges she later dropped, prompting judicial rebuke. Baraka has since filed a defamation lawsuit.

Trump recently nominated Habba for a full four-year term, earning endorsements from law enforcement groups who praised her tough-on-crime stance. The situation has now created a political and legal standoff over the leadership of one of the nation’s busiest federal prosecutor’s offices.