It comes after a panel of federal judges in New Jersey declined to extend Habba's term as the state's interim top prosecutor.

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.

President Donald Trump selected Alina Habba to continue running the US Attorney’s Office in New Jersey on a temporary basis, the latest twist in a succession drama after federal judges had picked her top assistant to take her place.