Justice Department officials defended the appointment of the Acting U.S. Attorney, as questions lead to a standstill in ongoing criminal cases

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — President Donald Trump has moved to keep his former defense attorney Alina Habba on the job as the top federal prosecutor in New Jersey, even though a panel of judges refused to extend her tenure.

Ms. Habba’s tenure as interim U.S. attorney was slated to end this week, but the Trump administration’s appointment will allow her to remain the top law enforcement official in the state.