President Donald Trump appointed his personal lawyer, Alina Habba, to serve as the U.S. Attorney in the New Jersey District, but until she is confirmed, a clock is ticking with limits on her tenure.
On Tuesday, she has been in the office for 120 days. It's the limit.
The New Jersey Globe reported Friday that an internal source for the office said that Habba delivered a message to those in the office, saying that she hopes she can stay. It doesn't seem likely, however.
U.S. Senators have the power to hold up the confirmation of someone to a position in their state. In Habba's case, both New Jersey senators oppose her.
Habba was previously on the legal team for Trump's trial with writer E. Jean Carroll. He lost each of those defamation cases.
Habba addressed her tenure in a meeting of New Jersey’s U.S. District Court judges, the report said. Those judges could appoint Habba, the report said, side-stepping the Senate.
There are two other potential candidates for the position, however: First Assistant U.S. Attorney Desiree Grace and former U.S. District Court Judge Noel Lawrence Hillman. They are both registered Republicans.
If no action is taken, Grace will immediately become the interim U.S. Attorney for 210 days.
"Once the judges vote, U.S. Attorney Pam Bondi would not have the authority to remove their pick – but Trump could," said the report.