TRENTON—A federal judge sharply rebuked prosecutors in New Jersey this week, declaring that the U.S. Department of Justice under President Donald Trump has “lost the confidence and the trust” of the court, while ordering a prosecutor removed from the courtroom and demanding top officials testify under oath.

U.S. District Judge Zahid N. Quraishi issued the extraordinary order during a tense hearing in federal court, escalating a growing legal battle over who is legally authorized to run the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey.

At the center of the dispute are Philip Lamparello, Jordan Fox, and Ari Fontecchio, the three officials currently overseeing the office following a controversial leadership change tied to Trump-era appointments.

Courtroom Clash Escalates

The confrontation unfolded during a sentencing hearing in a child exploitation case, where Quraishi sharply criticized the prosecution’s handling of the investigation.

According to the judge, prosecutors entered into a plea agreement before fully reviewing all available evidence. Additional material was later uncovered but could not be charged due to the agreement, prompting Quraishi to describe the case as a “sloppy investigation.”

Tensions escalated further when a supervising federal prosecutor repeatedly interrupted proceedings. After issuing multiple warnings, Quraishi ordered the prosecutor removed from the courtroom, accusing the office of attempting to “blindside” the court.

“You have lost the confidence and the trust of this Court,” Quraishi said during the hearing, adding that prosecutors were also losing the trust of the public. The judge postponed sentencing and refused to proceed until questions about the office’s leadership are resolved.

Trump-Era Appointments at the Center

The dispute stems from how the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey has been staffed following the removal of former acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, a close ally of Donald Trump.

Rather than appointing a single Senate-confirmed U.S. Attorney, the Justice Department installed Lamparello, Fox, and Fontecchio in a shared leadership structure—an approach that has never been used before in the district.

A separate federal ruling earlier this month found that arrangement likely violates the Constitution’s Appointments Clause, which requires Senate confirmation for top federal prosecutors.

That ruling described the move as part of an “enormous assertion of presidential power” and warned that the structure could put federal prosecutions at risk.

Who Is Actually Running the Office?

During the hearing, Quraishi repeatedly pressed prosecutors on a central question: Who is currently in charge of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey?

The judge also raised concerns about whether Habba—now serving in a senior advisory role within the Justice Department—may still have influence over the office’s operations, despite official denials.

Quraishi ordered Lamparello, Fox, and Fontecchio to testify under oath on May 4, where they are expected to explain the leadership structure and legal basis for their authority.

DOJ Pushback and Broader Implications

The Department of Justice has pushed back on the judge’s actions, criticizing the court and defending the prosecutors’ work. At the same time, the legal dispute carries potentially significant consequences.

If courts ultimately determine that the current leadership lacks lawful authority, federal prosecutions across New Jersey could face challenges, delays, or even dismissal. A separate ruling warned that thousands of cases could be affected if the issue is not resolved.

• What Happens Next

The upcoming May 4 hearing is expected to be a pivotal moment in the case. Quraishi has indicated that additional Justice Department officials could be called to testify depending on the outcome, signaling that the dispute between the federal judiciary and the Trump-era DOJ structure may continue to escalate.

For now, the case has put a spotlight on the legitimacy of federal prosecutions in New Jersey—and raised broader constitutional questions about how far presidential authority can extend over the justice system.

Sources

- Associated Press

- Reuters

- The Philadelphia Inquirer

- Bloomberg

Correction: A previous version of this article implied that Donald Trump was the former president, rather than the current one.