In a stinging rebuke of the Department of Justice, a federal judge ejected a senior prosecutor from his courtroom Monday and ordered top officials to testify under oath regarding the chaotic leadership of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey.
The confrontation, occurring during a high-stakes sentencing hearing for a child pornography case, marks a new low in the relationship between the federal judiciary and the Trump administration’s DOJ. U.S. District Judge Zahid N. Quraishi demanded answers on whether disqualified former Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba is still secretly directing the office’s operations.
A Courtroom Unraveled
The hearing for defendant Francisco Villafane, who pleaded guilty to possessing “egregious” child sexual abuse materials, devolved into a shouting match after Judge Quraishi questioned the competence of the prosecution.
The judge expressed disbelief that the government was seeking a sentence “significantly lower” than federal guidelines, despite evidence involving infants and bestiality. When line prosecutor Daniel Rosenblum admitted to a “combination of errors” in reviewing evidence, Quraishi turned his focus to the office’s leadership structure.
Mark Coyne, the office’s head of appeals, attempted to interject to defend the office. Because Coyne had failed to file a formal notice of appearance, Quraishi ordered him to remain silent. When Coyne persisted, the judge’s patience evaporated.
“I’m directing the court security officers to remove Mr. Coyne,” Quraishi stated, according to a 26-page transcript. “You don’t get to blindside this Court.”
The Shadow of Alina Habba
The root of the discord is the controversial tenure of Alina Habba. A year ago, President Trump appointed Habba—his former personal defense attorney—as Acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey.
The appointment has been plagued by legal defeats:
- August 2025: Judge Matthew S. Brann ruled Habba was not lawfully performing her duties and disqualified her from all cases.
- March 2026: A unanimous Third Circuit Court of Appeals panel upheld that disqualification.
- December 2025: Habba “stepped down” to become an adviser to Attorney General Pam Bondi, yet skepticism remains regarding her exit.
Judge Quraishi openly questioned whether Habba continues to pull the strings behind the “triumvirate” of leaders—Philip Lamparello, Jordan Fox, and Ari Fontecchio—appointed by Bondi to replace her. Those three officials were also recently disqualified by Judge Brann.
“You Have Lost the Confidence of This Court”
The administrative disarray has led to practical failures in the courtroom. Quraishi lambasted the DOJ for a “deficient” plea agreement that ignored the severity of Villafane’s crimes, which included an online sexual relationship with a 13-year-old girl.
“How did you execute a plea agreement without knowing all the evidence?” Quraishi asked. “Who screwed it up? Your office, the FBI, or both?”
The judge has now stayed the sentencing and ordered the “triumvirate” to appear next month to explain the office’s chain of command.
“You have lost the confidence and the trust of this court,” Quraishi told the prosecution. “You have lost the confidence and the trust of the New Jersey legal community, and you are losing the trust and confidence of the public.”
Systematic Instability
The New Jersey crisis is a microcosm of a broader struggle within the DOJ. Legal experts warn that the administration’s reliance on “acting” appointments to bypass Senate confirmation is creating a procedural vacuum.
Judge Brann previously warned that these unlawful appointments could allow “scores of dangerous criminals” to have their convictions overturned on technicalities. As judges across the country begin to echo these concerns, the New Jersey U.S. Attorney’s Office stands as the primary battlefield for the future of federal prosecutorial authority.
