Trump lawyer Alina Habba, now US Attorney, joins marshals to hunt down gang members and puts New Jersey criminals on notice: “If you shoot a cop, you’re getting tried as an adult – I don’t care if you’re a child.”
At a Glance
- President Trump appointed Alina Habba, his former attorney, as interim US Attorney for New Jersey in March 2025
- Habba participated in a multi-agency raid that arrested several dangerous criminals, including an 18-year-old Bloods gang member
- The operation arrested Zakiyy Houser (gang member), Darius Torres (sex offender), and David Bogar (alleged cop assaulter)
- Habba announced a 14-year-old Bloods member who allegedly killed a Newark detective will be charged as an adult
- She vowed to clean up corruption and crime in New Jersey, directly criticizing Senator Cory Booker and Governor Phil Murphy
Trump’s Former Lawyer Now Leading the Charge Against NJ Gang Violence
Remember when Democrats were constantly shrieking about how Trump’s appointees were all unqualified cronies? Well, interim US Attorney Alina Habba is proving them wrong in spectacular fashion. The former Trump defense attorney is wasting no time in bringing law and order back to New Jersey, joining US Marshals on the front lines as they pursue and arrest violent gang members. In a clear break from the soft-on-crime policies we’ve seen from the left for years, Habba is showing exactly what happens when you put someone in charge who actually cares about public safety instead of coddling criminals.
The multi-agency raid in Newark included 22 agents from the US Marshals, ICE, and local law enforcement, resulting in several high-profile arrests that should make every law-abiding citizen in New Jersey breathe a little easier. Among those nabbed was 18-year-old Zakiyy Houser, a Bloods gang member with an already extensive rap sheet who was wanted for allegedly shooting two people. When your state is so overrun with gang violence that teenagers are racking up multiple weapons charges before they can legally vote, you know something is seriously wrong with your criminal justice system.
No More Kid Gloves for Juvenile Criminals
Perhaps the most refreshing aspect of Habba’s approach is her unwillingness to let violent criminals hide behind their age. In a statement that should send shivers down the spines of gang members throughout New Jersey, Habba made it crystal clear that the days of juvenile offenders getting slaps on the wrist for heinous crimes are over. The new US Attorney announced that a 14-year-old Bloods member accused of killing a Newark detective will face adult charges – a marked departure from the progressive policies that have allowed young violent offenders to cycle through a revolving door of juvenile detention.
“The message is very clear: if you’re a child, I don’t care. If you shoot a cop, you’re getting tried as an adult. I have no tolerance for violence and we’re gonna clean up New Jersey.”, says Alina Habba.
This raid wasn’t just about grabbing headlines. Two other dangerous criminals were taken off the streets – Darius Torres, a 22-year-old sex offender who failed to appear in court on child pornography charges, and David Bogar, a 26-year-old wanted for assault on a law enforcement officer who was found cowering under a bed.
These are exactly the kind of predators who thrive when liberal politicians prioritize criminal rights over victim protection. Habba’s presence during these arrests sends a powerful message that the federal government is finally taking violent crime seriously again.
Leading From the Front, Not From Behind
Unlike the bureaucrats who’ve been running the DOJ for the past few years, Habba understands that effective leadership means getting your hands dirty. By accompanying the US Marshals on this dangerous mission, she demonstrated a commitment to understanding the challenges faced by law enforcement that’s been sorely missing at the federal level. This isn’t just a photo op – it’s a refreshing example of an official who refuses to sit behind a desk while sending others to do the difficult work.
According to Habba: “I can’t do my job if I don’t understand what these guys do every day. They do the legwork, they go get the bad guys. They put so much time and energy into doing it, and now it’s the US attorney’s job to make sure that we get them locked up and that they go to jail for a long time.”
Habba hasn’t been shy about naming names either. She directly called out Senator Cory Booker and Governor Phil Murphy for their failures in addressing crime and corruption in New Jersey. After years of Democrat mismanagement that has allowed gangs to flourish and criminals to walk free, Habba’s approach is like a breath of fresh air to communities that have been held hostage by violence. Her commitment to cleaning up New Jersey and going after the “people we should be going after” is exactly why Trump appointed her – she gets it.
A New Era for New Jersey Law Enforcement
If there’s one thing this operation proves, it’s that the era of soft-on-crime policies might finally be coming to an end in the Garden State. Habba’s no-nonsense approach represents exactly the kind of shift in priorities that voters demanded when they elected Trump. Rather than wasting resources on political prosecutions and targeting law-abiding citizens, federal law enforcement is getting back to its core mission: protecting communities from violent criminals. It’s amazing what can happen when you put someone in charge who actually believes in the rule of law.
The liberal establishment and mainstream media will undoubtedly try to spin this as a publicity stunt or question Habba’s qualifications, but the results speak for themselves: dangerous criminals off the streets, gang members on notice, and a clear message that the protection of law-abiding citizens now takes precedence over protecting criminals.
If this is what Trump’s Department of Justice looks like under his new administration, the American people have a lot to look forward to. It’s about time we had prosecutors who remember which side they’re supposed to be on.
