Most expectations are that interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Alina Habba’s term as the federal government’s top prosecutor in the state will not exceed the 120 days called for by law.
Generally, if the senators from a state disapprove of the pick, the nomination fails. But the woman who openly expressed hope of turning New Jersey red — politically — has wasted little time in making it clear that while she’s here and she will serve the president’s political goals — mainly the part about making things tough for Democrats. Last week, she announced on Fox News an investigation into the state’s Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy and Matt Platkin, the attorney general he appointed.
“Pam Bondi has made it clear and so has our president that we are to take all criminals — violent criminals and criminals — out of this country and completely enforce federal law,” she told Sean Hannity. “And anyone who gets in the way of what we are doing, which is not political, it is simply against crime will be charged in the state of New Jersey with obstruction, for concealment and I will come after them hard.”
Habba’s casting a wide net, she said, warning local officials in Paterson and even federal officials like Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) to steer clear of her efforts, but the tough talk doesn’t seem to have rattled anyone in her sights just yet.
“I know the interim U.S. attorney,” said Platkin on Friday. “She hasn’t been there that long. She says she wants to politicize the office. I hope she starts doing her job. I’ve reached out in multiple ways and she has not wanted to have a conversation.”
“New Jersey police officers cannot participate in civil immigration enforcement operations. They cannot stop, question, arrest, search or detain you simply because they think you might be undocumented,” explained State Police Colonel Pat Callahan. “They cannot ask your immigration status, except in the rare cases when it is relevant to a specific criminal investigation, and, if you are arrested, they cannot allow federal civil immigration authorities to interview you in jail without your permission. The rules apply to all state and local officers in New Jersey.”
