Desiree Grace says she’ll assume U.S. Attorney post on Saturday morning

Former First Assistant U.S. Attorney Desiree Grace will step in to replace Alina Habba as the state’s top prosecutor early Saturday morning, even though President Donald Trump is likely to fire her.

“Yesterday, the District Judges for the District of New Jersey selected me to serve as the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey,” Grace said.  “It will forever be the greatest honor that they selected me on merit, and I’m prepared to follow that order and begin to serve in accordance with the law.”

The Justice Department fired Grace yesterday, just hours after the federal judiciary announced they had voted against keeping Habba in her post following the completion of her 120-day initial appointment.

Deputy U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche hinted on Tuesday that Grace will not remain in the post long.

“This backroom vote will not override the authority of the chief executive,” he said.

Grace joined the U.S. Attorney’s office in 2016 after serving as a law clerk to New Jersey Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner and Morton Greenberg, a judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

“It has been the honor of a lifetime to represent the United States and to serve the people of New Jersey for the last nine years. There’s no better place to work. There’s no mission more important,” Grace said in a statement.  “How lucky I’ve been to be guided by nothing more than the genuine desire to do the right thing for the right reason each and every day.”

She noted that her service has been under “both Republican and Democratic administrations.”

“I’ve been promoted four times in the last five years by both — including four months ago by this administration,” Grace said.  “Politics never impacted my work at the department. Priorities change, of course, and resources are shifted, but the work and the mission were steady.”

The judges designated Grace to become U.S. Attorney at midnight on Saturday morning, which means she will remain in office either until the U.S. Senate confirms another pick, or if Trump fires her himself.

“I’ve dedicated my career to public service because I always believed that I could make a difference. And as I sit here now and reflect, I believe we did that. I’ve had the incredible fortune of working with and learning from the most committed and talented law enforcement partners. To my partners — my friends — at the Jersey City Police Department, the Newark Police Department, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the ATF, the FBI, the DEA, and so many others,” Grace said. “I can’t thank you enough. It was an honor to work with you, and I will forever be proud of what we accomplished.”

“To my colleagues — my family — at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the incredible District of New Jersey, you are inspiring,” she added. “No one sees the sacrifices you make, but please know that it matters. The long hours, the demanding work, the weight you carry seeking justice for victims — it all makes a difference, and I am beyond grateful that I was able to learn from you and work alongside you.”