DOJ searching for man who ransacked US Attorney Alina Habba's NJ office

Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News on Nov 17, 2025

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A manhunt was underway on Friday for a man who ransacked the New Jersey federal prosecutor’s office building after being denied a meeting with acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, according to reports.

The suspect showed up outside the Newark office on Wednesday evening, but he was barred entry by security because he had a bat with him, sources told The New York Times. When he returned a short time later without the bat, he was ultimately allowed to enter the building. He then traveled up to the floor where Habba’s office is and started yelling and smashing property.

“He literally went crazy,” a source told CNN.

The man was incoherent at the time, and it is unclear whether he specifically threatened Habba.

In a statement shared on social media Thursday, U.S. attorney general Pam Bondi confirmed the man had “destroyed property” and “then fled the scene.” She added that Habba was not hurt.

“Any violence or threats of violence against any federal officer will not be tolerated. Period,” Bondi said. “This is unfortunately becoming a trend as radicals continue to attack law enforcement agents around the country.”

Habba also addressed the incident in a social media post of her own, writing: “I will not be intimidated by radical lunatics for doing my job.”

Habba, once a personal attorney to President Donald Trump, has served as the Justice Department’s top prosecutor in New Jersey since March. The president also nominated her to be the Garden State’s Senate-confirmed U.S. attorney, but later withdrew her nomination and has kept her on in an “acting” capacity.

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