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.

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.

Acting New Jersey U.S. Attorney Alina Habba blamed Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) on Thursday for some of her struggles to keep her job due to his refusal to end a bipartisan tradition on judicial nominees.