Robert Frazer Named to Lead U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey After Year of Legal Turmoil

On March 24, 2026, Robert Frazer was appointed to lead the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey after a chief federal judge signed a one-sentence order installing the longtime prosecutor.

Frazer, who has worked in the New Jersey U.S. attorney’s office for more than two decades and most recently served as senior trial counsel, will assume the role following consultations between the District Court and senior Justice Department officials, according to a letter from an assistant U.S. attorney. The Justice Department thanked the judges for their cooperation and said the appointment will allow criminal prosecutions to resume without delay.

The designation closes a period of litigation and turnover that began in March 2025, when the White House named Alina Habba as interim U.S. attorney and later nominated her for the permanent post. Judges then appointed Desiree Leigh Grace after Habba’s interim term expired; Attorney General Pam Bondi removed Grace and attempted to reappoint Habba, a move a federal judge ruled unlawful and the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld. The Justice Department’s later effort to place a three-person leadership team was also found improper by district judges. Habba, now a senior adviser to Bondi, congratulated Frazer, and New Jersey Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim issued a joint statement criticizing the prior actions while saying they look forward to meeting the new top prosecutor. Parallel disputes over interim U.S. attorney appointments have arisen in other districts in recent months.