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New York Post
17-07-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Alina Habba, Trump pick for NJ's US Attorney, gets big law enforcement backing — but faces opposition from Dem senators
WASHINGTON — President Trump's pick for New Jersey's US attorney has nabbed endorsements from top law enforcement leaders nationwide — but still faces roadblocks from the Garden State's Democratic senators for final confirmation as her interim status is set to expire in less than two weeks. Alina Habba, a New Jersey native who has been serving as its top prosecutor, has garnered the enthusiastic support of the National Troopers Coalition, National Association of Police Organizations and National Police Defense Foundation since being nominated in March. 'I can think of no one better suited than USA Habba as her passion to help people and her work ethic has rarely been seen by anyone I have encountered in the US Attorney position,' raved Special Agent Ricky Patel, the head of Homeland Security Investigations in Newark, in a June 27 endorsement letter. 5 Alina Habba has the backing of national law enforcement leaders but faces roadblocks from Garden State Democratic senators for final confirmation as New Jersey's US attorney. AP The National Association of Police Organizations, which represents over 250,000 sworn law enforcement officers across the country, has also commended Habba for her 'efforts to go after and prosecute gang and drug crime,' according to a letter sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee's top Republican and Democrat on July 14. The president of NAPO cited 'the recent takedown of twenty-four violent gang members for their roles in a drug trafficking organization that distributed large quantities of fentanyl, heroin, and crack cocaine in Newark' as evidence of her effective leadership and 'successful work in making New Jersey safer.' The board of the National Troopers Coalition also threw its weight behind Habba, 41, in a July 11 open letter, applauding the attorney for her 'tremendous willingness to work with the 'boots on the ground' law enforcement officers across the State of New Jersey' and 'initiative and commitment to combating the plagues to our communities including gang violence, illegal drugs, and violent crimes.' 5 The National Association of Police Organizations, which represents over 250,000 sworn law enforcement officers across the country, has also commended Habba for her 'efforts to go after and prosecute gang and drug crime.' Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post In a controversial move, Habba earlier this year ended up charging a Democratic lawmaker, Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ), for assaulting federal officers and arrested Newark's Dem mayor Ras Baraka as the two protested the Trump admin's immigration crackdown at a detention facility. The former Trump lawyer, who also defended the president as part of a defamation case brought by writer E. Jean Carroll, was nominated to a full, four-year term on July 1. However, her federally mandated 120-day interim term began on March 24 and will expire July 22. 5 The former Trump lawyer defended the president as part of a defamation case brought by writer E. Jean Carroll. Stephen Yang for the New York Post That allows little time for either the Senate Judiciary Committee to advance her confirmation and Republicans to force a full vote in the upper chamber. New Jersey federal judges could also permanently appoint her, though Habba would likely face an uphill battle in a blue state — like John Sarcone III, whose bid to lead the upstate New York US attorney's office was rejected by a judicial board Monday. At the same time, Habba's approval process could be bottlenecked by either of New Jersey's Democratic Sens. Cory Booker and Andy Kim, both of whom have expressed dissatisfaction with Trump's nominee. 5 Habba's approval process could be bottlenecked by either of New Jersey's Democratic Sens. Cory Booker and Andy Kim, both of whom have expressed dissatisfaction with Trump's nominee. AP 'The people of New Jersey deserve a US Attorney that has deep experience with law enforcement, a reputation and an approach that puts partisanship to the side, and who will work to keep our communities safe and impartially pursue justice,' the two senators wrote in a joint statement released the day after Habba's nomination. 'In her short tenure as an interim US Attorney, she has degraded the office and pursued frivolous and politically motivated prosecutions,' the pair fumed. 'It's clear that Alina Habba does not meet the standard to serve the people of New Jersey.' Senators often meet with their home state's US attorney nominees, particularly during the appointment process. As yet, neither New Jersey senator has met with Habba. 5 Booker has already indicated he intends to withhold his blue slip to ice Habba's confirmation, Courthouse News reported Tuesday. Getty Images for Student Borrower Protection Center The so-called 'blue slip' policy could also give Booker and Kim the de facto ability to block Habba's confirmation. Booker has already indicated he intends to withhold his blue slip to ice Habba's confirmation, Courthouse News reported Tuesday. This senatorial power, which is rarely invoked out of courtesy for the presidency, was recently used by Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to impede Senate confirmation for Jay Clayton, Trump's nominee for Manhattan US attorney. Clayton was later installed by Trump on an interim basis — despite Schumer's efforts to block his approval. Reps for Kim and Booker did not respond to requests for comment.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Oconee Co. deputy awarded prestigious honor, overcomes life threatening injury
OCONEE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – A deputy who survived a life-threatening injury received an award from the National Association of Police Organizations on Wednesday. Family, local leaders, and law enforcement honored an Corporal Lucas Watts, who was shot in the line of duty. Watts was shot in November 2023 when trying to make a traffic stop. 'The night of the shooting, we were not 100% sure how else things were going to turn out, and we knew it didn't look good,' Watts said. 'It shows you that God has a way of deciding things that man does not decide.' Watts spent several months in the hospital, fighting for his life. On Wednesday, he stood in front of the crowd to receive a 'Top Cops' award, a prestigious honor from the National Association of Police Organizations. 'We've seen his little boy, Eli, running around today and that gives us hope,' said Congresswoman Sheri Biggs, Third Congressional District South Carolina. 'I know he was fighting hard to rehabilitate from his injuries to be here with his wife and his son. That speaks volumes about his love for his family.' Biggs presented Watts with a letter from Governor Henry McMaster, recognizing Watts' bravery. Biggs gave Watts a challenge coin. 'As a US congresswoman, I have my own challenge coins,' said Biggs. 'I try to save those for special occasions. Today is absolutely a special occasion as we celebrate his resiliency and ability to come through on this event.' Watts was also given a flag that was flown over the United States Capital. 'I hope that will signify why he did the work that he did and put himself out there in the line of duty to protect us,' said Biggs. 'I think if you take a look at Lucas as he's progressed from that day, every day, it just seems to me he's getting better and better,' Watts said. 'We're grateful for that. He's not only a brother who wears a blue uniform, as you saw today, but he's also a friend to all of us, actually more like family.' The Oconee County Sheriff's Office said Watts is still recovering. His family appreciates the love and support the community has shown for the past year and a half. 'The bottom line is that we just continue to support him, lift his family and his friends up in prayer and support,' said Watt. Last year, Watts was awarded the 'Governor's Law Enforcement Officer of the Year' award. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Florida Congressman among trio to announce Bipartisan legislation regarding local law enforcement investments
A bipartisan, bicameral legislation will be announced Wednesday morning regarding investments in local law enforcement worldwide. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] The proposal is being proposed by U.S. Congressman John H. Rutherford (R-FL-05), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05), and U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV). Topics during the press conference will include the importance of investing in 'recruiting and retaining the best talent, training, safety, and mental health' of officers. The following will also be in attendance: National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) National Sheriffs' Association New Jersey State Troopers Fraternal Association Law Enforcement Organizations The press conference will be streamed on Congressman Gottheimer's YouTube page at 9:30 am. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
