Chris Christie, a former U.S. Attorney, shared his thoughts on Alina Habba, the new interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey during a speech at FDU about two months ago. Christie found Habba’s remarks about turning New Jersey “red” quite unsettling, emphasizing that the state’s top federal law enforcement official should not be focused on partisan politics. He even expressed his hope that someone would guide her in the right direction.

In the current political climate under Donald Trump, where loyalty is paramount, Habba seems to be following the president’s expectations as her tenure nears its end. Recently, there was a controversial arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, a gubernatorial candidate, for alleged trespassing at an ICE facility in Newark. However, the charges against Baraka were dropped on Monday, raising suspicions about the political nature of the accusation.

Adding to the controversy, Habba announced on Monday that her office had charged Rep. LaMonica McIver with assaulting and impeding law enforcement during a protest at the same ICE facility. The incident involving McIver, who represents CD-10 encompassing parts of Essex, Union, and Hudson counties, sparked debate as videos of the protest showed a chaotic scene with minimal evidence of serious wrongdoing. Despite the lack of initial arrests on the day of the protest, the sudden charges against McIver raise questions about the motives behind the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s actions.

Not really sure why this matters, but it seems like the federal authorities needed to make an example out of someone after the Baraka incident turned out to be a fluke. McIver, caught in the crossfire, now faces legal trouble for her involvement in a seemingly harmless scuffle. In a statement to CNN, McIver stood her ground, refusing to admit to something she did not do and emphasizing her resilience against intimidation. The situation becomes even more ironic as President Trump, known for his pardons of Capitol rioters, emphasizes the importance of “law and order” in the midst of these controversial charges.