Trump had nominated Habba, whom he tapped on an interim basis in March, for the full-time appointment. But Sens. Cory Booker and Andy Kim used blue slips — which empower home-state senators to block U.S. attorney and District Court judge nominees — to keep her from advancing in the chamber.

President Donald Trump threatened legal action over a Senate tradition Democrats have used to block certain judicial nominees, escalating a long-running dispute with Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA).

Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Alina Habba reacts to Senate lawmakers upholding the 'blue slip' tradition regarding judicial nominations to U.S. circuit and district courts.