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Trump's DOJ Faces Power Struggle Over Prosecutor Appointments

3/20/2026

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Trump's Prosecutor Power Struggle

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration faces a power struggle over appointing federal prosecutors, causing regional confusion.
Judges have disqualified interim U.S. attorneys, yet the Department of Justice retains them under new titles.
Judge Zahid Quraishi ejected a New Jersey prosecutor and demanded testimony on the office's leadership structure.
Similar nationwide disputes show judges appointing replacements while DOJ officials intervene.

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Judge Quraishi's Courtroom Clash

Judge Zahid N. Quraishi ejected a federal prosecutor from a pedophile sentencing in New Jersey.
He criticized the U.S. Attorney's Office for chaos since Alina Habba's resignation.
Quraishi questioned the plea deal for defendant Francisco Villafane after new evidence of child exploitation emerged.
He demanded that office leaders testify about their operations before the sentencing, which was moved to early May.
The Department of Justice labeled Quraishi's actions "courtroom theatrics."

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Trump's Prosecutor Power Struggle

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration faces a power struggle over appointing federal prosecutors, causing regional confusion.
Judges have disqualified interim U.S. attorneys, yet the Department of Justice retains them under new titles.
Judge Zahid Quraishi ejected a New Jersey prosecutor and demanded testimony on the office's leadership structure.
Similar nationwide disputes show judges appointing replacements while DOJ officials intervene.

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